Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Cocalico Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Cocalico Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #580 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 West Cocalico 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 Cocalico Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Cocalico Township, and West Cocalico Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #580 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Cocalico 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 Cocalico Township has more expected damage per building than 56% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across West Cocalico Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Cocalico Township flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Cocalico Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee3 claims · $77K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $5K
West Cocalico 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: Lancaster County.The storms West Cocalico Township remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Lancaster County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Cocalico Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20184 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20113 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Lancaster County
- 19792 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Lancaster County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Cocalico Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Cocalico Township archive →West Cocalico Township and its neighbors
West Cocalico Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Heidelberg Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Millcreek Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Spring Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| West Cocalico Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| East Cocalico Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Clay Township | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Denver | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Ephrata Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Stevens | — | 799 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Reinholds | — | 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 Cocalico 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 Cocalico Township
Is West Cocalico Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Cocalico Township has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #580 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Cocalico Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in West Cocalico Township since 1978, $203K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (3).
Is West Cocalico 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 Lancaster County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Cocalico Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Cocalico 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 Cocalico Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 3 paid, $77K.
Is West Cocalico Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and West Cocalico Township’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Cocalico Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Cocalico 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.