Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Gettysburg 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, Gettysburg gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Gettysburg 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Gettysburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gettysburg, and Gettysburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gettysburg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Gettysburg: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gettysburg flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Gettysburg. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gettysburg
Disasters that paid out in Gettysburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gettysburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Storm$8K to the City of Gettysburg for repairs
- 1 households applied for aid$300 aid approved
Potter County has had 13 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 Gettysburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gettysburg archive →Get ready for what Gettysburg 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Gettysburg
Is Gettysburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gettysburg has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (6%). 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.
Is Gettysburg 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.
How much is flood insurance in Gettysburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gettysburg’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 Gettysburg?
By FEMA money that reached Gettysburg, Severe Storm (2005): $8K to the City of Gettysburg for repairs.
Is Gettysburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Gettysburg’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gettysburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gettysburg’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.