West Side Sanitarium · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA puts West York’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West York gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #969 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 York 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 York’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in West York, and West York’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #969 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West York’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 York has more expected damage per building than 93% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across West York: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West York flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West York, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West York isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: York County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to West York
Disasters that paid out in West York itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of West York), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
York County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of West York after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West York archive →West York and its neighbors
West York is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Manchester Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| York | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| West York | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 York 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 York
Is West York at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West York has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #969 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (8%). 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 York flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in West York since 1978, $465K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is West York 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 York County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West York?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West York’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 York?
By FEMA money that reached West York, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 2 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is West York at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and West York’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West York.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West York’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.