On FEMA’s figures, West Hanover Township faces less hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hanover Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #559 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 25 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 Hanover Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Hanover 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 Hanover Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Hanover Township, and West Hanover Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #559 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Hanover 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 Hanover Township has more expected damage per building than 54% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across West Hanover Township: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Hanover Township flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Hanover Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee3 claims · $60K
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $101K
West Hanover 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: Dauphin County.The storms West Hanover Township remembers
None of the 17 disasters declared for Dauphin County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Hanover 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 Dauphin County
- 20043 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Dauphin County
- 20063 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, declared for Dauphin County
Dauphin County has had 17 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 Hanover Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Hanover Township archive →West Hanover Township and its neighbors
West Hanover Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Hanover Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Lower Paxton Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| South Hanover Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 106 |
| Middle Paxton Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 266 |
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 Hanover 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 Hanover Township
Is West Hanover Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hanover Township has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #559 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Hanover Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in West Hanover Township since 1978, $363K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (3).
Is West Hanover 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 Dauphin County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Hanover Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Hanover 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 Hanover Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 3 paid, $60K.
Is West Hanover Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and West Hanover Township’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Hanover Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Hanover 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.