FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Brandywine Township than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Brandywine Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #187 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1999.
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 Brandywine 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 West Brandywine Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Brandywine Township, and West Brandywine Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
A #187 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Brandywine Township’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, West Brandywine Township has less expected damage per building than 82% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across West Brandywine Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Brandywine Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Brandywine Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $254
West Brandywine 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 Brandywine Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Brandywine Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19991 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations, declared for Chester County
- 20101 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms, 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 Brandywine Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Brandywine Township archive →West Brandywine Township and its neighbors
West Brandywine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Caln Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Honey Brook Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| West Brandywine Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| East Brandywine Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Valley Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Wallace Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Caln Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
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 Brandywine 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 West Brandywine Township
Is West Brandywine Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Brandywine Township has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #187 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 Brandywine Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in West Brandywine Township since 1999, $5K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is West Brandywine 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 Brandywine Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Brandywine 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 Brandywine Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $254.
Is West Brandywine Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and West Brandywine Township’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Brandywine Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Brandywine 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.