Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Binghamton faces less hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Binghamton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #279 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Binghamton 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 Binghamton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Binghamton, and Binghamton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #279 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Binghamton’s 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, Binghamton has less expected damage per building than 63% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $964K a year in losses across Binghamton: $767K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Binghamton flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Binghamton, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $9K
Binghamton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Broome County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Binghamton
Disasters that paid out in Binghamton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Binghamton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$85K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$186K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$52K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$566K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$20K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs
Broome County has had 23 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 Binghamton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Binghamton archive →Binghamton and its neighbors
Binghamton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binghamton | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Vestal | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 434 |
| Binghamton | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 281 |
| Conklin | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 704 |
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 Binghamton 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 Binghamton
Is Binghamton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Binghamton has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #279 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Binghamton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Binghamton since 1978, $516K in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Binghamton 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 Broome County, 1.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Binghamton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Binghamton’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 Binghamton?
By FEMA money that reached Binghamton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $566K to the Town of Binghamton for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Binghamton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Binghamton’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Binghamton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Binghamton’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.