Photo: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Auburn as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #535 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
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 Auburn 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 Auburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Auburn, and Auburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #535 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Auburn’s residents live in 7 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, Auburn has more expected damage per building than 71% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Auburn: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Auburn flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Auburn, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
Auburn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cayuga County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Auburn
Disasters that paid out in Auburn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Auburn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$51K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2004Snow$26K to the City of Auburn for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm11 households applied for aid$129 aid approved$8K to the City of Auburn for repairs
Cayuga County has had 13 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; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Auburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Auburn archive →Auburn and its neighbors
Auburn is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sennett | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Aurelius | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Throop | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Auburn | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fleming | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Owasco | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Melrose Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Auburn 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 Auburn
Is Auburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Auburn has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #535 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Auburn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Auburn since 1979, $183K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Auburn 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 Cayuga County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Auburn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Auburn’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 Auburn?
By FEMA money that reached Auburn, Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred (2021): $51K to the City of Auburn for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Auburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Auburn’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Auburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Auburn’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.