Hutchinson Homestead · Photo: Doncram · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Aurelius than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aurelius gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #291 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Aurelius 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 Aurelius’ grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aurelius, and Aurelius’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #291 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Aurelius’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Aurelius has less expected damage per building than 62% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Aurelius: $868K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aurelius flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aurelius, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Aurelius 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Aurelius
Disasters that paid out in Aurelius itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Aurelius), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Snow$7K to the Town of Aurelius 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 Aurelius after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aurelius archive →Aurelius and its neighbors
Aurelius has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurelius | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Springport | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Seneca Falls | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Montezuma | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| 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 |
| Tyre | — | not graded yet | |
| Cayuga | — | 575 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Aurelius 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 Aurelius
Is Aurelius at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aurelius has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #291 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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 Aurelius flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Aurelius since 1978, $37K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Aurelius 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 Aurelius?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aurelius’ 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 Aurelius?
By FEMA money that reached Aurelius, Snow (2004): $7K to the Town of Aurelius for repairs.
Is Aurelius at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Aurelius’ rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aurelius.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aurelius’ 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.