Less hazard damage per building is expected in West Nottingham Township than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Nottingham Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #193 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Nottingham 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
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 Nottingham Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Nottingham Township, and West Nottingham Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A #193 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Nottingham Township’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 Nottingham Township has less expected damage per building than 81% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across West Nottingham Township: $450K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Nottingham Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Nottingham Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Nottingham 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 Nottingham Township remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Chester County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Nottingham Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20211 flood claims paidThe year of Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared for Chester County
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 Nottingham Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Nottingham Township archive →West Nottingham Township and its neighbors
West Nottingham 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 Nottingham Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| East Nottingham Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Fulton Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Little Britain Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Nottingham | — | 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 Nottingham 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.
- 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 Nottingham Township
Is West Nottingham Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Nottingham Township has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #193 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) 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.
Does West Nottingham Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in West Nottingham Township since 2021, $75K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Nottingham 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 Nottingham Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Nottingham Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is West Nottingham Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and West Nottingham Township’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Nottingham Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Nottingham 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.