Storms, floods and disasters in Afton
Afton isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Afton yet. Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1993.
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.
Does Afton flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Afton, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Lee15 claims · $388K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $4K
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 Village of Afton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee101 households applied for aid$337K aid approved$20K to the Village of Afton for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $388K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding227 households applied for aid$704K aid approved$681K to the Village of Afton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$1K to the Village of Afton for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$5K to the Village 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 →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
Does Afton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Afton since 1993, $554K in all. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (15).
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): 227 households applied for aid, $704K approved, and $681K to the Village of Afton for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 15 paid, $388K.
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.