On FEMA’s figures, West Pennsboro Township faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Pennsboro Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #455 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Pennsboro 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 Pennsboro Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Pennsboro Township, and West Pennsboro Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #455 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Pennsboro 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 Pennsboro Township has less expected damage per building than 56% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across West Pennsboro Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Pennsboro Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Pennsboro Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Pennsboro 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: Cumberland County.The storms West Pennsboro Township remembers
None of the 15 disasters declared for Cumberland County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Pennsboro Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20151 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Cumberland County has had 15 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 Pennsboro Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Pennsboro Township archive →West Pennsboro Township and its neighbors
West Pennsboro Township is 7th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newville | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lower Frankford Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Upper Frankford Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Lower Mifflin Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| North Newton Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Dickinson Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| West Pennsboro Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Penn Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Carlisle | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| North Middleton Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Pennsboro 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 Pennsboro Township
Is West Pennsboro Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Pennsboro Township has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #455 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Pennsboro Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in West Pennsboro Township since 2015, $975 in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Pennsboro 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 Cumberland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Pennsboro Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Pennsboro Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is West Pennsboro Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and West Pennsboro Township’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Pennsboro Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Pennsboro 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.