On FEMA’s figures, Central Square faces less hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central Square gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1993.
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 Central Square 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 Central Square’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Central Square, and Central Square’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Central Square’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $491K a year in losses across Central Square: $439K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Central Square flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Central Square, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Central Square isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oswego County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Central Square
Disasters that paid out in Central Square itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Central Square), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Snow$2K to the Village of Central Square for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm54 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$7K to the Village of Central Square for repairs
Oswego County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 Central Square after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Central Square archive →Get ready for what Central Square 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 Central Square
Is Central Square at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Central Square has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Central Square flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Central Square since 1993, $9K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Central Square 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 Oswego County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Central Square?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Central Square’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 Central Square?
By FEMA money that reached Central Square, Ice Storm (2003): 54 households applied for aid, $28K approved, and $7K to the Village of Central Square for repairs.
Is Central Square at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Central Square’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Central Square.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Central Square’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.