Wrightsville Historic District · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA puts Wrightsville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wrightsville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 59 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 Wrightsville 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 Wrightsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wrightsville, and Wrightsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wrightsville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $725K a year in losses across Wrightsville: $596K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wrightsville flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wrightsville, from FEMA’s records: 69.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee5 claims · $76K
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $3K
Wrightsville 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wrightsville
Disasters that paid out in Wrightsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Wrightsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida16 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee73 households applied for aid$134K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $76K
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
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 Wrightsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wrightsville archive →Wrightsville and its neighbors
Wrightsville 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 Hempfield Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Hellam Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 111 |
| Wrightsville | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
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 Wrightsville 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 Wrightsville
Is Wrightsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wrightsville has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Wrightsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Wrightsville since 1978, $640K in all, or 69.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (5).
Is Wrightsville 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 Wrightsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wrightsville’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 Wrightsville?
By FEMA money that reached Wrightsville, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 73 households applied for aid, $134K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 5 paid, $76K.
Is Wrightsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Wrightsville’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wrightsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wrightsville’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.