Photo: Dougtone · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Chester’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chester gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1980.
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 Chester 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 Chester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chester, and Chester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Chester’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $754K a year in losses across Chester: $709K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chester flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chester, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan2 claims · $42K
Chester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hancock County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chester
Disasters that paid out in Chester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Chester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides6 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides26 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$14K to the City of Chester for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides$4K to the City of Chester for repairs
Hancock County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Chester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chester archive →Chester and its neighbors
Chester is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newell | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Chester | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Chester 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 Chester
Is Chester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chester has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). 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 Chester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Chester since 1980, $47K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (2).
Is Chester 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 Hancock County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chester’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 Chester?
By FEMA money that reached Chester, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides (2004): 26 households applied for aid, $29K approved, and $14K to the City of Chester for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 2 paid, $42K.
Is Chester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Chester’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chester’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.