Photo: JOHN LLOYD · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Red Lion faces less hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Lion gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #132 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 Red Lion 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
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 Red Lion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Lion, and Red Lion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 25% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A #132 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Lion’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Red Lion has less expected damage per building than 87% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $963K a year in losses across Red Lion: $743K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Lion flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Lion, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $8K
Red Lion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Lion
Disasters that paid out in Red Lion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Red Lion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida78 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee147 households applied for aid$188K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
York County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Red Lion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Lion archive →Red Lion and its neighbors
Red Lion 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Lion | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| York Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Windsor Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 Red Lion 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.
- 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 Red Lion
Is Red Lion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Lion has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #132 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Lion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Red Lion since 2011, $8K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Red Lion 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 York County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Red Lion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Lion’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 Red Lion?
By FEMA money that reached Red Lion, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 147 households applied for aid, $188K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Red Lion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Red Lion’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Lion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Lion’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.