Photo: ILoveCortlandNewYork · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Cortland’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cortland gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #616 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 116 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 Cortland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cortland 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 Cortland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cortland, and Cortland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C #616 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cortland’s residents live in 5 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, Cortland has more expected damage per building than 81% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Cortland: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cortland flood? Yes: 116 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cortland, from FEMA’s records: 15.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain44 claims · $261K
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $6K
Cortland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cortland County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cortland
Disasters that paid out in Cortland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cortland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Flooding$135K to the City of Cortland for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$27K to the City of Cortland for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$72K to the City of Cortland for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding248 households applied for aid$381K aid approved$178K to the City of Cortland for repairs45 flood claims paid that year
Cortland County has had 13 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 Cortland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cortland archive →Cortland and its neighbors
Cortland has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortland | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 116 |
| Munsons Corners | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Cortland West | — | 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 Cortland 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 Cortland
Is Cortland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cortland has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #616 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cortland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 116 claims in Cortland since 1979, $715K in all, or 15.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (44).
Is Cortland 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 Cortland County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cortland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cortland’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 Cortland?
By FEMA money that reached Cortland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): 248 households applied for aid, $381K approved, and $178K to the City of Cortland for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 44 paid, $261K.
Is Cortland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Cortland’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cortland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cortland’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.