On FEMA’s figures, Afton faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Afton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #751 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1978.
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 Afton 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
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 Afton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Afton, and Afton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #751 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Afton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Afton has more expected damage per building than 99% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Afton: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Afton flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Afton, from FEMA’s records: 19.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee12 claims · $413K
Afton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chenango County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Afton
Disasters that paid out in Afton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Afton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Afton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$725K to the Town of Afton for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Afton for repairs
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$25K to the Town of Afton for repairs
- 2003Snow$4K to the Town of Afton for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$9K to the Town of Afton for repairs
Chenango County has had 24 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; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Afton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Afton archive →Afton and its neighbors
Afton is 6th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masonville | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Coventry | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sanford | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Colesville | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Bainbridge | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Afton | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Afton 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.
- 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 Afton
Is Afton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Afton has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #751 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Afton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Afton since 1978, $680K in all, or 19.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (12).
Is Afton 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 Chenango County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Afton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Afton’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 Afton?
By FEMA money that reached Afton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $725K to the Town of Afton for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 12 paid, $413K.
Is Afton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Afton’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Afton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Afton’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.