Collins Mansion · Photo: Ned Goode, HABS photographer · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in West Goshen Township than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Goshen Township gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #67 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 Goshen Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Goshen 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
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 Goshen Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Goshen Township, and West Goshen Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #67 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Goshen Township’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 Goshen Township has less expected damage per building than 94% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across West Goshen Township: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Goshen Township flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Goshen Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $27K
West Goshen 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: Chester County.The storms West Goshen Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Goshen Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20116 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Chester County
- 19943 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, declared for Chester County
- 19852 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county 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 Goshen Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Goshen Township archive →West Goshen Township and its neighbors
West Goshen Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Westtown Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| East Goshen Township | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| West Whiteland Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| 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 Goshen 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.
- 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 Goshen Township
Is West Goshen Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Goshen Township has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #67 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Goshen Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in West Goshen Township since 1978, $190K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is West Goshen 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 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 Goshen Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Goshen 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 Goshen Township?
By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $27K.
Is West Goshen Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and West Goshen Township’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Goshen Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Goshen 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.