Photo: Doug Kerr from now in Binghamton, NY · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Chenango than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chenango gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #613 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 90 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 stands out about Chenango’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Chenango 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 Chenango’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chenango, and Chenango’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #613 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chenango’s residents live in 3 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, Chenango has more expected damage per building than 81% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Chenango: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chenango flood? Sometimes: 90 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chenango, from FEMA’s records: 18.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee46 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $62K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $9K
Chenango is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broome County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chenango
Disasters that paid out in Chenango itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chenango), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$127K to the Town of Chenango for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Town of Chenango for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$311K to the Town of Chenango for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$291K to the Town of Chenango for repairs46 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$83K to the Town of Chenango for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$1.1M to the Town of Chenango for repairs
Show all 11
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$187K to the Town of Chenango for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the Town of Chenango for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$1K to the Town of Chenango for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Chenango for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$29K to the Town of Chenango 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 Chenango after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chenango archive →Chenango and its neighbors
Chenango is 4th of the 6 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 |
| Union | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 495 |
| Fenton | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Chenango | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Barker | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Maine | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Chenango Bridge | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Chenango 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.
- Chenango residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Chenango
Is Chenango at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chenango has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #613 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chenango flood?
Flood insurance has paid 90 claims in Chenango since 1979, $2.4M in all, or 18.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (46).
Is Chenango 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 Chenango?
Chenango is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Chenango?
By FEMA money that reached Chenango, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $1.1M to the Town of Chenango for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 46 paid, $2.0M.
Is Chenango at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Chenango’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chenango.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chenango’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.