Photo: Barnum, Deloss -- Photographer · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Cortlandville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cortlandville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #576 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1981.
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 Cortlandville 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 Cortlandville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cortlandville, and Cortlandville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #576 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cortlandville’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, Cortlandville has more expected damage per building than 76% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Cortlandville: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cortlandville flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cortlandville, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain9 claims · $157K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $50K
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $821
Cortlandville 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cortlandville
Disasters that paid out in Cortlandville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cortlandville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Flooding$74K to the Town of Cortlandville for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Town of Cortlandville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$65K to the Town of Cortlandville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$104K to the Town of Cortlandville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$42K to the Town of Cortlandville for repairs10 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 Cortlandville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cortlandville archive →Cortlandville and its neighbors
Cortlandville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortlandville | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Groton | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Virgil | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Solon | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Homer | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Summerhill | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Blodgett Mills | — | 212 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Freetown | — | 911 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Cortlandville 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 Cortlandville
Is Cortlandville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cortlandville has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #576 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 Cortlandville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Cortlandville since 1981, $476K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (9).
Is Cortlandville 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 Cortlandville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cortlandville’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 Cortlandville?
By FEMA money that reached Cortlandville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $104K to the Town of Cortlandville for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 9 paid, $157K.
Is Cortlandville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Cortlandville’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cortlandville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cortlandville’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.