FEMA puts Big Flats’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Flats gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #304 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 stands out about Big Flats’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Big Flats 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 Big Flats’ grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Big Flats, and Big Flats’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #304 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Big Flats’ residents live in 2 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, Big Flats has less expected damage per building than 60% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Big Flats: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Big Flats flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Big Flats, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $9K
Big Flats is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chemung County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Big Flats
Disasters that paid out in Big Flats itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Big Flats), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$1.1M to the Town of Big Flats for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$43K to the Town of Big Flats for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$13K to the Town of Big Flats for repairs
Chemung County has had 12 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 Big Flats after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Big Flats archive →Big Flats and its neighbors
Big Flats is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horseheads | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Big Flats | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Southport | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Corning | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Catlin | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Elmira | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| West Elmira | — | 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 Big Flats 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.
- Big Flats residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Big Flats
Is Big Flats at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Big Flats has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #304 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Big Flats flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Big Flats since 1979, $246K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Big Flats 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 Chemung County, 1.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Big Flats?
Big Flats is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Big Flats?
By FEMA money that reached Big Flats, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): $1.1M to the Town of Big Flats for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Big Flats at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Big Flats’ rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Big Flats.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Big Flats’ 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.