Photo: Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Chittenango than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chittenango gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #675 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 46 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 Chittenango 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 Chittenango’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chittenango, and Chittenango’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C #675 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chittenango’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, Chittenango has more expected damage per building than 89% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Chittenango: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chittenango flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chittenango, from FEMA’s records: 21.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chittenango 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chittenango
Disasters that paid out in Chittenango itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Chittenango), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Village of Chittenango for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Village of Chittenango for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$23K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
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 Chittenango after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chittenango archive →Get ready for what Chittenango 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 Chittenango
Is Chittenango at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chittenango has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #675 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 Chittenango flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Chittenango since 1979, $162K in all, or 21.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Chittenango 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 Chittenango?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chittenango’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 Chittenango?
By FEMA money that reached Chittenango, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 24 households applied for aid, $23K approved.
Is Chittenango at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Chittenango’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chittenango.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chittenango’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.