Chester County hurricane guide¶

The Chester County Department of Emergency Services in West Chester sends emergency notifications through ReadyChesCo. The county says most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms or by heavy rains from hurricanes and tropical storms, and that FEMA floodplain maps only approximate where water may rise, so a property outside the mapped floodplain can still flood. Sign up for ReadyChesCo before a storm.

What to know in Chester County¶

• Most flash flooding in Chester County is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms in a local area or by heavy rains associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. Even a property outside a FEMA floodplain may still flood.

Emergency and information numbers¶

Official alerts and information¶

• ReadyChesCo: Free county alerts by phone, email, or text. Sign up before a storm. You can add access, functional, and evacuation needs to your account. Website.
• ReadyChesCo current alerts: Current and past ReadyChesCo alerts. Website.

Evacuation centers¶

This county's emergency management pages do not list standing hurricane shelters. Shelters are announced when a storm or flood happens, so do not go to a site until the county announces it. Follow county alerts and local news, and call the emergency management office if you need help.

Cities and towns¶

Each city has its own services and some have their own alerts. The county's evacuation zones, evacuation centers, and emergency alerts cover everyone, in every city and in unincorporated areas.

Related guides¶

• Should I evacuate?
• What to expect at a hurricane shelter
• Hurricane supply list
• After a hurricane: the first 24 hours
• Insurance claims and disaster aid

Sources¶

Checked on October 8, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.

• https://www.chesco.org/4518/Severe-Thunderstorms
• https://www.chesco.org/5697/Alerts
• https://www.chesco.org/167/Sheriff
• https://www.chesco.org/3458/FEMA-Floodplains
• https://www.511pa.com/