Photo: Public domain · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Chambersburg than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chambersburg gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #523 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Chambersburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chambersburg 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 Chambersburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chambersburg, and Chambersburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #523 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chambersburg’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, Chambersburg has more expected damage per building than 50% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Chambersburg: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chambersburg flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chambersburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chambersburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chambersburg
Disasters that paid out in Chambersburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Chambersburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides216 households applied for aid$453K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan15 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
Franklin County has had 16 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 Chambersburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chambersburg archive →Chambersburg and its neighbors
Chambersburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilford Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hamilton Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Chambersburg | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Greene Township | B+less damage than 66% | 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 Chambersburg 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 Chambersburg
Is Chambersburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chambersburg has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #523 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chambersburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Chambersburg since 1978, $149K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chambersburg 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 Franklin County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chambersburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chambersburg’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 Chambersburg?
By FEMA money that reached Chambersburg, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 216 households applied for aid, $453K approved.
Is Chambersburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Chambersburg’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chambersburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chambersburg’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.