Natural Disaster Risk in West Alexander
Pennsylvania
Risk Summary for West Alexander
West Alexander scores 6.0/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Landslide.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: West Alexander, Pennsylvania
West Alexander, in Washington County, is a small community of about 1,441 situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid continental climate brings cold winters, warm summers, and four distinct seasons, and in particular nor'easter exposure and spring river flooding. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that West Alexander residents and property owners must navigate.
West Alexander's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.0/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Secondary hazards include lightning and hail.
Within Pennsylvania, West Alexander's risk is, near the 5.9/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Washington County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by lightning and hail. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
West Alexander's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for West Alexander: Landslide preparedness
- Have an evacuation plan ready during periods of intense or prolonged rainfall.
- Watch for warning signs such as new cracks, tilting trees, or changes in water drainage on slopes.
- Standard insurance generally excludes landslide and earth-movement damage — ask about specialized coverage.
Local Factors for West Alexander
These city-level factors differentiate West Alexander from other communities in Washington County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
1,441
Small TownGeographic Zone
Inland
Reduced coastal hazard exposure
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 40.1°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 5.3/10
Coordinates
40.1049° N, 80.4874° W
Washington County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for West Alexander
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in West Alexander
Other cities in Pennsylvania
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.