Less hazard damage per building is expected in West Grove than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Grove gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #565 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Grove 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
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 Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Grove, and West Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #565 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Grove’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Grove has more expected damage per building than 54% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $553K a year in losses across West Grove: $378K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Grove flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in West Grove. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
West Grove 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Grove
Disasters that paid out in West Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of West Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee1 households applied for aid$246 aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Tropical Storms Henri and Isabel and Related Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
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 Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Grove archive →Get ready for what West Grove 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.
- 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 Grove
Is West Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Grove has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #565 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and earthquakes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is West Grove 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 Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Grove’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 Grove?
By FEMA money that reached West Grove, Hurricane Irene (2011): 9 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is West Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and West Grove’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Grove’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.