Photo: Nicholas · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in West Brunswick Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Brunswick Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #674 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1983.
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 Brunswick 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
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 Brunswick Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Brunswick Township, and West Brunswick Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
B #674 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Brunswick 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, West Brunswick Township has more expected damage per building than 65% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across West Brunswick Township: $933K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Brunswick Township flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Brunswick Township, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $402
West Brunswick 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: Schuylkill County.The storms West Brunswick Township remembers
None of the 20 disasters declared for Schuylkill County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Brunswick Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20063 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Schuylkill County
- 19892 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19932 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Snowfall and Winter Storm, declared for Schuylkill County
Schuylkill County has had 20 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 West Brunswick Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Brunswick Township archive →West Brunswick Township and its neighbors
West Brunswick Township is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orwigsburg | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Tilden Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| North Manheim Township | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| West Brunswick Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| East Brunswick Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| South Manheim Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Auburn | — | 449 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Landingville | — | 208 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Port Clinton | — | 271 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 West Brunswick 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.
- 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 Brunswick Township
Is West Brunswick Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Brunswick Township has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #674 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) 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 West Brunswick Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in West Brunswick Township since 1983, $79K in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (1).
Is West Brunswick 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 Schuylkill County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Brunswick Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Brunswick 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 Brunswick Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 1 paid, $402.
Is West Brunswick Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and West Brunswick Township’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Brunswick Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Brunswick 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.