Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bainbridge than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bainbridge gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 Bainbridge 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 Bainbridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bainbridge, and Bainbridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bainbridge’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $786K a year in losses across Bainbridge: $708K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bainbridge flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bainbridge, from FEMA’s records: 50.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee20 claims · $278K
Bainbridge 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bainbridge
Disasters that paid out in Bainbridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bainbridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$64K to the Village of Bainbridge for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Village of Bainbridge for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee158 households applied for aid$512K aid approved$70K to the Village of Bainbridge for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $278K
- 2011Hurricane Irene5 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding261 households applied for aid$662K aid approved$333K to the Village of Bainbridge for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan9 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2003Snow$798 to the Village of Bainbridge for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$4K to the Village of Bainbridge 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 Bainbridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bainbridge archive →Get ready for what Bainbridge 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 Bainbridge
Is Bainbridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bainbridge has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bainbridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Bainbridge since 1979, $678K in all, or 50.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (20).
Is Bainbridge 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 Bainbridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bainbridge’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 Bainbridge?
By FEMA money that reached Bainbridge, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 261 households applied for aid, $662K approved, and $333K to the Village of Bainbridge for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 20 paid, $278K.
Is Bainbridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Bainbridge’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bainbridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bainbridge’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.