Photo: Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Cooperstown than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cooperstown gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1978.
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 Cooperstown 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 Cooperstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cooperstown, and Cooperstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cooperstown’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Cooperstown: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cooperstown flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cooperstown, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cooperstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otsego County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cooperstown
Disasters that paid out in Cooperstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cooperstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Village of Cooperstown for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Village of Cooperstown for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene13 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$11K to the Village of Cooperstown for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$53K to the Village of Cooperstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Village of Cooperstown for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Ice Storm$2K to the Village of Cooperstown for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$7K to the Village of Cooperstown for repairs
Otsego County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, 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 Cooperstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cooperstown archive →Get ready for what Cooperstown 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 Cooperstown
Is Cooperstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cooperstown has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. 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 Cooperstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Cooperstown since 1978, $9K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cooperstown 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 Otsego County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cooperstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cooperstown’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 Cooperstown?
By FEMA money that reached Cooperstown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 65 households applied for aid, $55K approved, and $53K to the Village of Cooperstown for repairs.
Is Cooperstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Cooperstown’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cooperstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cooperstown’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.