Photo: Nimbesi · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in West Reading than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Reading gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #360 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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 Reading 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
Tornadoes
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 Reading’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Reading, and West Reading’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 17% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #360 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Reading’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 Reading has less expected damage per building than 65% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across West Reading: $942K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Reading flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Reading, from FEMA’s records: 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Reading isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Berks County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to West Reading
Disasters that paid out in West Reading itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of West Reading), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
Berks County has had 19 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 Reading after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Reading archive →West Reading and its neighbors
West Reading is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumru Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| West Reading | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Wyomissing | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Reading | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
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 Reading 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Reading
Is West Reading at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Reading has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #360 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and earthquakes (17%). 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 Reading flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in West Reading since 1979, $791K in all, or 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is West Reading 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 Berks County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Reading?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Reading’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 Reading?
By FEMA money that reached West Reading, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 4 households applied for aid, $3K approved.
Is West Reading at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and West Reading’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Reading.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Reading’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.