John W. McCarty House · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Candor faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Candor gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #714 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Candor 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 Candor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Candor, and Candor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #714 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Candor’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, Candor has more expected damage per building than 94% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Candor: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Candor flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Candor, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee10 claims · $137K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $8K
- The 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding1 claim · $19K
Candor isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tioga County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Candor
Disasters that paid out in Candor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Candor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$16K to the Town of Candor for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$74K to the Town of Candor for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$42K to the Town of Candor for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$1.5M to the Town of Candor for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $137K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$51K to the Town of Candor for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$160K to the Town of Candor for repairs
Show all 11
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$298K to the Town of Candor for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$73K to the Town of Candor for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$17K to the Town of Candor for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$21K to the Town of Candor for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$59K to the Town of Candor for repairs
Tioga County has had 20 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 Candor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Candor archive →Candor and its neighbors
Candor is 7th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danby | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Tioga | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| Berkshire | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Owego | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 390 |
| Spencer | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Newark Valley | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Candor | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Caroline | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Candor 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 Candor
Is Candor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Candor has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #714 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Candor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Candor since 1979, $233K in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (10).
Is Candor 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 Tioga County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Candor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Candor’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 Candor?
By FEMA money that reached Candor, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): $1.5M to the Town of Candor for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 10 paid, $137K.
Is Candor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Candor’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Candor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Candor’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.