Photo: Diana · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Ashley faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #960 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Ashley 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 Ashley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ashley, and Ashley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #960 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ashley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ashley has more expected damage per building than 93% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $817K a year in losses across Ashley: $650K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ashley flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ashley, from FEMA’s records: 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ivan6 claims · $34K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $7K
Ashley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Luzerne County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ashley
Disasters that paid out in Ashley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Ashley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides29 households applied for aid$31K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$301 aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan83 households applied for aid$112K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $34K
Luzerne County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Ashley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ashley archive →Get ready for what Ashley 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 Ashley
Is Ashley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ashley has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #960 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ashley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Ashley since 1996, $73K in all, or 9.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ivan (6).
Is Ashley 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 Luzerne County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ashley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ashley’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 Ashley?
By FEMA money that reached Ashley, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 83 households applied for aid, $112K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ivan: 6 paid, $34K.
Is Ashley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Ashley’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ashley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ashley’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.