Mitchell-Shook House · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA puts Greencastle’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greencastle gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #218 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 Greencastle 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
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 Greencastle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greencastle, and Greencastle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #218 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Greencastle’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, Greencastle has less expected damage per building than 79% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $757K a year in losses across Greencastle: $647K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greencastle flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greencastle, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $5K
Greencastle 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 Greencastle
Disasters that paid out in Greencastle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Greencastle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides55 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan3 households applied for aid$3K 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 Greencastle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greencastle archive →Get ready for what Greencastle 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.
- 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 Greencastle
Is Greencastle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greencastle has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #218 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Greencastle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Greencastle since 1982, $8K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Greencastle 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 Greencastle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greencastle’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 Greencastle?
By FEMA money that reached Greencastle, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2006): 55 households applied for aid, $77K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Greencastle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Greencastle’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greencastle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greencastle’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.