FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Cairo as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cairo gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #534 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 1980.
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 Cairo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cairo 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
Hurricanes
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 Cairo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cairo, and Cairo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #534 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cairo’s 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, Cairo has more expected damage per building than 70% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Cairo: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cairo flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cairo, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene14 claims · $452K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $4K
Cairo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cairo
Disasters that paid out in Cairo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cairo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Town of Cairo for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene47 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$861K to the Town of Cairo for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $452K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$93K to the Town of Cairo for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$31K to the Town of Cairo for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$36K to the Town of Cairo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$24K to the Town of Cairo for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$110K to the Town of Cairo for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Town of Cairo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Snowstorms$30K to the Town of Cairo for repairs
Greene County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Cairo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cairo archive →Cairo and its neighbors
Cairo is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Catskill | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 91 |
| Durham | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Cairo | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Athens | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Coxsackie | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hunter | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Windham | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Jewett | — | not graded yet | |
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 Cairo 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Cairo
Is Cairo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cairo has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #534 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cairo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Cairo since 1980, $560K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (14).
Is Cairo 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 Greene County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cairo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cairo’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 Cairo?
By FEMA money that reached Cairo, Hurricane Irene (2011): 47 households applied for aid, $100K approved, and $861K to the Town of Cairo for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 14 paid, $452K.
Is Cairo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Cairo’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cairo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cairo’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.