Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in New Carlisle than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Carlisle gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #902 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1981.
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 New 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
Tornadoes
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 New Carlisle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Carlisle, and New Carlisle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C #902 of 993 in Ohio; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Carlisle’s residents live in 3 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, New Carlisle has more expected damage per building than 91% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across New Carlisle: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Carlisle flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Carlisle, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New 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: Clark County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Carlisle
Disasters that paid out in New Carlisle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Carlisle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$20K to the City of New Carlisle for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$35K to the City of New Carlisle for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Snow$13K to the City of New Carlisle for repairs
Clark County has had 7 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 New Carlisle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Carlisle archive →New Carlisle and its neighbors
New 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pike Township | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bethel Township | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Bethel Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| New Carlisle | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 New 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 New Carlisle
Is New Carlisle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Carlisle has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #902 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Carlisle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in New Carlisle since 1981, $4K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is New 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 Clark County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Carlisle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New 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 New Carlisle?
By FEMA money that reached New Carlisle, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $35K to the City of New Carlisle for repairs.
Is New Carlisle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and New Carlisle’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Carlisle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New 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.