Photo: Zoewscott · Public domainFEMA puts West Chester’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Chester gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #65 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then earthquakes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 94 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about West Chester’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Chester 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
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 Chester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Chester, and West Chester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 22% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #65 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Chester’s residents live in 5 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 Chester has less expected damage per building than 94% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across West Chester: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Chester flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Chester, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd9 claims · $238K
- Hurricane Isaias4 claims · $129K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $34K
West Chester 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Chester
Disasters that paid out in West Chester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of West Chester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida434 households applied for aid$573K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene111 households applied for aid$145K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $34K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$18K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan31 households applied for aid$110K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $161
- 2003Tropical Storms Henri and Isabel and Related Severe Storms and Flooding27 households applied for aid$32K aid approved6 flood claims paid 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 West Chester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Chester archive →West Chester and its neighbors
West Chester has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Chester | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| West Goshen Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| East Bradford Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 126 |
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 Chester 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.
- 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 Chester
Is West Chester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Chester has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #65 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and earthquakes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Chester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in West Chester since 1978, $3.6M in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (9).
Is West Chester 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 Chester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Chester’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 Chester?
By FEMA money that reached West Chester, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 434 households applied for aid, $573K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 9 paid, $238K.
Is West Chester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and West Chester’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Chester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Chester’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.