For tornadoes, Syracuse’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Syracuse gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then tornadoes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1982.
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 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
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 Syracuse’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Syracuse, and Syracuse’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 19%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Syracuse’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Syracuse: $821K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Syracuse flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Syracuse, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Syracuse isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otoe County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Syracuse
Disasters that paid out in Syracuse itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Syracuse), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorm$1K to the City of Syracuse for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$15K to the City of Syracuse for repairs
Otoe County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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.
- 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 Syracuse
Is Syracuse at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Syracuse has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and tornadoes (19%). 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 Syracuse flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Syracuse since 1982, $10K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% 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 Otoe County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Syracuse?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Syracuse’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 Syracuse?
By FEMA money that reached Syracuse, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): $15K to the City 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 (61%), and Syracuse’s rate for it is higher than 58% 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.