Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Shillington than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shillington gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #546 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 Shillington 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 Shillington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shillington, and Shillington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #546 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Shillington’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, Shillington has more expected damage per building than 53% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Shillington: $939K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shillington flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shillington, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $7K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $29K
Shillington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berks County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Shillington
Disasters that paid out in Shillington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Shillington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee1 households applied for aid$549 aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
Berks County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Shillington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shillington archive →Shillington and its neighbors
Shillington is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumru Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Wyomissing | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Shillington | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pennwyn | — | 384 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Shillington 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 Shillington
Is Shillington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shillington has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #546 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Shillington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Shillington since 1982, $39K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (1).
Is Shillington 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 Berks County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shillington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shillington’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 Shillington?
By FEMA money that reached Shillington, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 1 households applied for aid, $549 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Shillington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Shillington’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shillington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shillington’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.