Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Carlisle than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carlisle gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #968 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Carlisle 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 Carlisle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carlisle, and Carlisle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #968 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carlisle’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Carlisle has more expected damage per building than 97% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Carlisle: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carlisle flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carlisle, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Carlisle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carlisle
Disasters that paid out in Carlisle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Carlisle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$51K to the City of Carlisle for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Snow$15K to the City of Carlisle for repairs
Warren County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Carlisle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carlisle archive →Carlisle and its neighbors
Carlisle is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Franklin | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| German Township | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Carlisle | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Carlisle 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 Carlisle
Is Carlisle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carlisle has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #968 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carlisle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Carlisle since 1996, $13K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Carlisle 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 Warren County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carlisle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carlisle’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 Carlisle?
By FEMA money that reached Carlisle, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $51K to the City of Carlisle for repairs.
Is Carlisle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Carlisle’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carlisle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carlisle’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.