Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Binghamton faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Binghamton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #522 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 281 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 stands out about Binghamton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Binghamton, and Binghamton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #522 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Binghamton’s residents live in 17 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, Binghamton has more expected damage per building than 69% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.1M a year in losses across Binghamton: $9.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Binghamton flood? Yes: 281 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Binghamton, from FEMA’s records: 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee156 claims · $11.7M
- The Torrential rain12 claims · $233K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $115K
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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Binghamton
Disasters that paid out in Binghamton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Binghamton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$797K to the City of Binghamton for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$96K to the City of Binghamton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee3,250 households applied for aid$8.7M aid approved$1.8M to the City of Binghamton for repairs156 flood claims paid for it, $11.7M
- 2011Hurricane Irene4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $115K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$76K to the City of Binghamton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding617 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Binghamton for repairs
Show all 12
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding925 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$357K to the City of Binghamton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding81 households applied for aid$125K aid approved$5K to the City of Binghamton for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan58 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$47K to the City of Binghamton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Snow$41K to the City of Binghamton for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$114K to the City 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 is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Port Dickinson | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| 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 |
| Kirkwood | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 198 |
| Union | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 495 |
| Johnson City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 194 |
| 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 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #522 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Binghamton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 281 claims in Binghamton since 1978, $17.2M in all, or 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 47 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (156).
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, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 3,250 households applied for aid, $8.7M approved, and $1.8M to the City of Binghamton for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 156 paid, $11.7M.
Is Binghamton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Binghamton’s rate for it is higher than 74% 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.