On FEMA’s figures, South Coatesville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Coatesville gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims 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 South Coatesville 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
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 South Coatesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Coatesville, and South Coatesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Coatesville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $688K a year in losses across South Coatesville: $581K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Coatesville flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Coatesville, from FEMA’s records: 12.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $151K
- The Mid-spring storms2 claims · $71K
South Coatesville 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.The storms South Coatesville remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Coatesville itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20215 flood claims paidThe year of Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared for Chester County
- 20142 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storm, declared for Chester County
- 19791 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
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 South Coatesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Coatesville archive →South Coatesville and its neighbors
South Coatesville is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Fallowfield Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| South Coatesville | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Coatesville | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Modena | — | 442 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 South Coatesville 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.
- 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 South Coatesville
Is South Coatesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Coatesville has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and earthquakes (5%). 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 South Coatesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in South Coatesville since 1979, $379K in all, or 12.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (3).
Is South Coatesville 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 South Coatesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Coatesville’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 South Coatesville?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 3 paid, $151K.
Is South Coatesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and South Coatesville’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Coatesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Coatesville’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.