Photo: Willjay · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Coventry Township than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Coventry Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #161 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.
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 Coventry Township 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 South Coventry Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Coventry Township, and South Coventry Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #161 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Coventry Township’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, South Coventry Township has less expected damage per building than 85% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $795K a year in losses across South Coventry Township: $575K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Coventry Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Coventry Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $4K
South Coventry Township 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 Coventry Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Coventry Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20061 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, declared for Chester County
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Chester County
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 Coventry Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Coventry Township archive →South Coventry Township and its neighbors
South Coventry Township is 3rd of the 7 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 Nantmeal Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| West Vincent Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| South Coventry Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Warwick Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| East Vincent Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| North Coventry Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 181 |
| East Coventry Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Coventry Township 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 South Coventry Township
Is South Coventry Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Coventry Township has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #161 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Coventry Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in South Coventry Township since 2006, $12K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is South Coventry Township 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 Coventry Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Coventry Township’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 Coventry Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $4K.
Is South Coventry Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and South Coventry Township’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Coventry Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Coventry Township’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.