Photo: (c)2006 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (from U.S. Census Bureau source) · CC BY-SA 2.5Less hazard damage per building is expected in West Hempfield Township than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hempfield Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #587 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (14%). 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 Hempfield Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Hempfield 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 Hempfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Hempfield Township, and West Hempfield 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+ #587 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Hempfield Township’s residents live in 4 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 Hempfield Township has more expected damage per building than 57% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across West Hempfield Township: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Hempfield Township flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Hempfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $86K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $879
West Hempfield 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 Hempfield Township remembers
None of the 18 disasters declared for Lancaster County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Hempfield Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19865 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20185 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19784 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 Hempfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Hempfield Township archive →West Hempfield Township and its neighbors
West Hempfield Township is 5th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountville | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Columbia | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| East Hempfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 63 |
| East Donegal Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| West Hempfield Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Rapho Township | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Hellam Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 111 |
| Manor Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 133 |
| Wrightsville | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Marietta | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
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 Hempfield 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 Hempfield Township
Is West Hempfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Hempfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #587 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Hempfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in West Hempfield Township since 1978, $248K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (2).
Is West Hempfield 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 Hempfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Hempfield 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 Hempfield Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 2 paid, $86K.
Is West Hempfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and West Hempfield Township’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Hempfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Hempfield 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.