Chester, PA
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Chester is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Delaware County, PA. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, strong wind, and heat wave.
Storm events near Chester
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Chester's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Chester itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Delaware County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Chester along with the rest of the county, not a Chester-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 27.7 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 94.4 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 63.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 94.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 97.6 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 92.5 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | 11.4 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 91.5 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 54.2 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 13.3 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 88.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 87 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 59.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 95.6 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 97.7 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 99.2 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Delaware County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Delaware County:
More on Delaware County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Chester, PA at risk of?
Chester is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Delaware County, where Chester is located, are winter weather, strong wind, and heat wave.
What is Chester's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Delaware County, where Chester is located, scoring 99.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Chester a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Chester carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Delaware County.
Has Chester had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 16 tornado, 167 hail, 557 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Chester since 2016.