Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, West Providence Township faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Providence Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #984 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 87 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 West Providence 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
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 Providence Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Providence Township, and West Providence Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #984 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Providence 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 Providence Township has more expected damage per building than 95% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across West Providence Township: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Providence Township flood? Sometimes: 87 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Providence Township, from FEMA’s records: 58.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan13 claims · $170K
- Hurricane Ida8 claims · $221K
West Providence 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: Bedford County.The storms West Providence Township remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Bedford County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching West Providence Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 199624 flood claims paidThe year of Flooding, Severe Storms, declared for Bedford County
- 200423 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Ivan, declared for Bedford County
- 197813 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Bedford County has had 16 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 Providence Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Providence Township archive →West Providence Township and its neighbors
West Providence Township is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Snake Spring Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 133 |
| Colerain Township | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Providence Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Broad Top Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| West Providence Township | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Hopewell Township | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Providence 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.
- 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 Providence Township
Is West Providence Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Providence Township has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #984 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Providence Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 87 claims in West Providence Township since 1978, $1.4M in all, or 58.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (13).
Is West Providence 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 Bedford County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Providence Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Providence 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 Providence Township?
By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 13 paid, $170K.
Is West Providence Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and West Providence Township’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Providence Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Providence 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.