Photo: Jazzlisp · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in New Hartford
New Hartford isn’t graded for hazard risk: New Hartford has 675 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 150 claims here since 1979.
What New Hartford 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
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.
Does New Hartford flood? Yes: 150 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Hartford, from FEMA’s records.
- The Storm102 claims · $3.4M
New Hartford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Butler County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Hartford
Disasters that paid out in New Hartford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Hartford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$30K to the City of New Hartford for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$32K to the City of New Hartford for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding320 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$612K to the City of New Hartford for repairs105 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of New Hartford for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Butler County has had 21 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 New Hartford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Hartford archive →Get ready for what New Hartford 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.
- 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 New Hartford
Does New Hartford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 150 claims in New Hartford since 1979, $3.7M in all. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (102).
Is New Hartford 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 Butler County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Hartford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Hartford’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 New Hartford?
By FEMA money that reached New Hartford, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 320 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $612K to the City of New Hartford for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 102 paid, $3.4M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Hartford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Hartford’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.