Photo: Mccallusa · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Baldwinsville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baldwinsville gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #501 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Baldwinsville 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 Baldwinsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Baldwinsville, and Baldwinsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #501 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Baldwinsville’s residents live in 4 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, Baldwinsville has more expected damage per building than 66% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Baldwinsville: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Baldwinsville flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Baldwinsville, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $3K
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $4K
Baldwinsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Onondaga County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Baldwinsville
Disasters that paid out in Baldwinsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Baldwinsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm138 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$47K to the Village of Baldwinsville for repairs
Onondaga 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 Baldwinsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Baldwinsville archive →Baldwinsville and its neighbors
Baldwinsville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwinsville | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Radisson | — | 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 Baldwinsville 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 Baldwinsville
Is Baldwinsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Baldwinsville has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #501 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 Baldwinsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Baldwinsville since 1978, $264K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (1).
Is Baldwinsville 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 Onondaga County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Baldwinsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Baldwinsville’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 Baldwinsville?
By FEMA money that reached Baldwinsville, Ice Storm (2003): 138 households applied for aid, $93K approved, and $47K to the Village of Baldwinsville for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Baldwinsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Baldwinsville’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Baldwinsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Baldwinsville’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.