Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Carlisle than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carlisle gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #503 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carlisle, and Carlisle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #503 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carlisle’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Pennsylvania town has lower expected damage than 71% of U.S. towns; within the state, Carlisle has less expected damage per building than 52% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Carlisle: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carlisle flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carlisle, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% 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: Cumberland County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carlisle
Disasters that paid out in Carlisle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Carlisle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee18 households applied for aid$18K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan44 households applied for aid$134K aid approved
Cumberland County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. 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 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Middleton Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| West Pennsboro Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Carlisle | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| North Middleton Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Carlisle Barracks | — | 730 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #503 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carlisle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Carlisle since 1979, $102K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% 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 Cumberland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% 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, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 44 households applied for aid, $134K approved.
Is Carlisle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Carlisle’s rate for it is lower than 52% 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.