Photo: Smallbones · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Malvern, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malvern gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Malvern’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Malvern faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Malvern’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Malvern, and Malvern’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Malvern’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Malvern has less expected damage per building than 99% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $553K a year in losses across Malvern: $346K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Malvern flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Malvern, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Malvern isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chester County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Malvern
Disasters that paid out in Malvern itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Malvern), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida120 households applied for aid$283K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$785 aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene36 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Tropical Storms Henri and Isabel and Related Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Chester County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Malvern after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Malvern archive →Malvern and its neighbors
Malvern has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malvern | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| East Whiteland Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Willistown Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Paoli | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Malvern faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Malvern
Is Malvern at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malvern has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #8 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Malvern flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Malvern since 2005, $23K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Malvern in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Chester County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Malvern?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Malvern’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Malvern?
By FEMA money that reached Malvern, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 120 households applied for aid, $283K approved.
Is Malvern at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Malvern’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Malvern.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Malvern’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.