Photo: DwayneP · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in York than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, York gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2023.
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 York 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
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 York’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in York, and York’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of York’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across York: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does York flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in York, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
York isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sumter County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to York
Disasters that paid out in York itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of York), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes18 households applied for aid$11K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina538 households applied for aid$394K aid approved$36K to the City of York for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$21K to the City of York for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan471 households applied for aid$630K aid approved$25K to the City of York for repairs
Sumter County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of York after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the York archive →Get ready for what York 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.
- 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 York
Is York at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, York has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (21%). 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 York flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in York since 2023, $106K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is York 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 Sumter County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in York?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for York’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 York?
By FEMA money that reached York, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 471 households applied for aid, $630K approved, and $25K to the City of York for repairs.
Is York at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and York’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in York.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where York’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.