Photo: M.E. Granger, Photographer · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Canastota than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canastota gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #399 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 32 claims here since 1981.
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 Canastota’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Canastota 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 Canastota’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Canastota, and Canastota’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #399 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Canastota’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, Canastota has more expected damage per building than 53% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Canastota: $857K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Canastota flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Canastota, from FEMA’s records: 14.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Canastota isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Canastota
Disasters that paid out in Canastota itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Canastota), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Village of Canastota for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Village of Canastota for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$2K to the Village of Canastota for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$4K to the Village of Canastota for repairs
Madison County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Canastota after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Canastota archive →Get ready for what Canastota 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 Canastota
Is Canastota at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Canastota has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #399 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 Canastota flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Canastota since 1981, $484K in all, or 14.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Canastota 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 Madison County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Canastota?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Canastota’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 Canastota?
By FEMA money that reached Canastota, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2017): $20K to the Village of Canastota for repairs.
Is Canastota at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Canastota’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Canastota.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Canastota’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.