Photo: Tysto · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Syracuse than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Syracuse gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #159 of 593 in Indiana. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Syracuse’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Syracuse 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.
What’s behind Syracuse’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Syracuse, and Syracuse’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 21%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #159 of 593 in Indiana; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Syracuse’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Indiana town has lower expected damage than 60% of U.S. towns; within the state, Syracuse has less expected damage per building than 73% of Indiana towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Syracuse: $812K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Syracuse flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Syracuse, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Syracuse is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Kosciusko County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Syracuse
Disasters that paid out in Syracuse itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Syracuse), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Town of Syracuse for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$5K to the Town of Syracuse for repairs
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Snow$4K to the Town of Syracuse for repairs
- 1999In-winter Storm 12/23/98$4K to the Town of Syracuse for repairs
Kosciusko County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Syracuse after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Syracuse archive →Get ready for what Syracuse 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.
- Syracuse residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Syracuse
Is Syracuse at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Syracuse has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #159 of 593 in Indiana. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Syracuse flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Syracuse since 1980, $6K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Syracuse 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 Kosciusko County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Syracuse?
Syracuse is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Syracuse?
By FEMA money that reached Syracuse, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 13 households applied for aid, $25K approved, and $5K to the Town of Syracuse for repairs.
Is Syracuse at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Syracuse’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Syracuse.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Syracuse’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.