Bradford Friends Meetinghouse · Photo: Smallbones at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts West Bradford Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bradford Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #130 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 2003.
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 West Bradford 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
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 West Bradford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Bradford Township, and West Bradford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A #130 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Bradford Township’s residents live in 3 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, West Bradford Township has less expected damage per building than 88% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across West Bradford Township: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Bradford Township flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Bradford Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $266K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $15K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $471
West Bradford 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 West Bradford Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Bradford Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20092 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20152 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20212 flood claims paidThe year of Remnants of Hurricane Ida, 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 West Bradford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Bradford Township archive →West Bradford Township and its neighbors
West Bradford Township is 2nd of the 8 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 |
| West Bradford Township | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| East Caln Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Newlin Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| East Bradford Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
| Caln Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Pocopson Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 121 |
| Downingtown | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 336 |
| Thorndale | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 West Bradford 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.
- 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 West Bradford Township
Is West Bradford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Bradford Township has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #130 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Bradford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in West Bradford Township since 2003, $319K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (2).
Is West Bradford 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 West Bradford Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Bradford 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 West Bradford Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 2 paid, $266K.
Is West Bradford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and West Bradford Township’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Bradford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Bradford 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.