Photo: Jakec · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, West Chillisquaque Township faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Chillisquaque Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #926 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 155 claims here since 1979.
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 Chillisquaque Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Chillisquaque 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
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 Chillisquaque Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Chillisquaque Township, and West Chillisquaque Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #926 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Chillisquaque 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 Chillisquaque Township has more expected damage per building than 89% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across West Chillisquaque Township: $884K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Chillisquaque Township flood? Yes: 155 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Chillisquaque Township, from FEMA’s records: 117.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan37 claims · $922K
- Tropical Storm Lee36 claims · $930K
West Chillisquaque 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: Northumberland County.The storms West Chillisquaque Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Northumberland County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Chillisquaque Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 201138 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Northumberland County
- 199637 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Northumberland County
- 200437 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Northumberland County
Northumberland County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Chillisquaque Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Chillisquaque Township archive →West Chillisquaque Township and its neighbors
West Chillisquaque 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| East Buffalo Township | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Turbot Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| West Chillisquaque Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 155 |
| Lewisburg | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 287 |
| Milton | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 378 |
| East Chillisquaque Township | — | 617 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Montandon | — | 831 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 Chillisquaque 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.
- 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 Chillisquaque Township
Is West Chillisquaque Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Chillisquaque Township has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #926 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Chillisquaque Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 155 claims in West Chillisquaque Township since 1979, $2.8M in all, or 117.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (37).
Is West Chillisquaque 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 Northumberland County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Chillisquaque Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Chillisquaque 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 Chillisquaque Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 37 paid, $922K.
Is West Chillisquaque Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and West Chillisquaque Township’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Chillisquaque Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Chillisquaque 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.