Parkesburg National Bank · Photo: Smallbones · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Parkesburg faces less hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parkesburg gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #149 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 Parkesburg 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
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
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 Parkesburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Parkesburg, and Parkesburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A #149 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Parkesburg’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, Parkesburg has less expected damage per building than 86% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $717K a year in losses across Parkesburg: $489K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Parkesburg flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Parkesburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Parkesburg 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Parkesburg
Disasters that paid out in Parkesburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Parkesburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida15 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene13 households applied for aid$24K 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 Parkesburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Parkesburg archive →Parkesburg and its neighbors
Parkesburg is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Parkesburg | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sadsbury Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| West Sadsbury Township | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Parkesburg 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Parkesburg
Is Parkesburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Parkesburg has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #149 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (7%). 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 Parkesburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Parkesburg since 1979, $446 in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Parkesburg 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 Parkesburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Parkesburg’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 Parkesburg?
By FEMA money that reached Parkesburg, Hurricane Irene (2011): 13 households applied for aid, $24K approved.
Is Parkesburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Parkesburg’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Parkesburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Parkesburg’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.