Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in West Deer Township than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Deer Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #76 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Deer Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Deer 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 Deer Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Deer Township, and West Deer Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #76 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Deer 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 Deer Township has less expected damage per building than 93% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across West Deer Township: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Deer Township flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Deer Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan7 claims · $87K
West Deer 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: Allegheny County.The storms West Deer Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Allegheny County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Deer Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20047 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Allegheny County
- 19805 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Tornadoes, declared for Allegheny County
- 19874 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Allegheny County has had 15 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 Deer Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Deer Township archive →West Deer Township and its neighbors
West Deer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frazer Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Richland Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Hampton Township | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| West Deer Township | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Indiana Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Clinton Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Middlesex Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fawn Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Bakerstown | — | 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 Deer 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 Deer Township
Is West Deer Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Deer Township has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #76 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Deer Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in West Deer Township since 1978, $231K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (7).
Is West Deer 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 Allegheny County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Deer Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Deer 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 Deer Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 7 paid, $87K.
Is West Deer Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and West Deer Township’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Deer Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Deer 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.