Photo: Jakec · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Mount Carmel faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Carmel gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #818 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 38 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 Mount Carmel 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 Mount Carmel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Carmel, and Mount Carmel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #818 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Carmel’s residents live in 2 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, Mount Carmel has more expected damage per building than 79% of Pennsylvania towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Mount Carmel: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Carmel flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Carmel, from FEMA’s records: 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee13 claims · $126K
- Tropical Storm Ivan3 claims · $10K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $5K
Mount Carmel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northumberland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Carmel
Disasters that paid out in Mount Carmel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Mount Carmel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Tropical Storm Lee148 households applied for aid$248K aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $126K
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $10K
Northumberland County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mount Carmel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Carmel archive →Get ready for what Mount Carmel 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 Mount Carmel
Is Mount Carmel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Carmel has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #818 of 1,037 in Pennsylvania. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Carmel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Mount Carmel since 1979, $739K in all, or 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (13).
Is Mount Carmel 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 Northumberland County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mount Carmel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Carmel’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 Mount Carmel?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Carmel, Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 148 households applied for aid, $248K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 13 paid, $126K.
Is Mount Carmel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Mount Carmel’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Carmel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Carmel’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.