Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, West Penn Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Penn Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #690 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Penn 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 Penn Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Penn Township, and West Penn Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B #690 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Penn 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 Penn Township has more expected damage per building than 67% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across West Penn Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Penn Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Penn Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $35K
West Penn 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: Schuylkill County.The storms West Penn Township remembers
None of the 20 disasters declared for Schuylkill County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Penn Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20112 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Storm Lee, declared for Schuylkill County
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Schuylkill County
- 20241 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Schuylkill County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West Penn Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Penn Township archive →West Penn Township and its neighbors
West Penn Township is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mahoning Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lynn Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| East Penn Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Brunswick Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Penn Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Heidelberg Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Tamaqua | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
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 Penn 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 Penn Township
Is West Penn Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Penn Township has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #690 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (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 Penn Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in West Penn Township since 1996, $49K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (2).
Is West Penn 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 Schuylkill County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Penn Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Penn 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 Penn Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 2 paid, $35K.
Is West Penn Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and West Penn Township’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Penn Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Penn 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.