Photo: Jennifer · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Dickinson than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dickinson gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #234 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 31 claims here since 2006.
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 Dickinson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dickinson 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 Dickinson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dickinson, and Dickinson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
A #234 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dickinson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dickinson has less expected damage per building than 69% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Dickinson: $899K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dickinson flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dickinson, from FEMA’s records: 14.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee19 claims · $974K
Dickinson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Broome County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dickinson
Disasters that paid out in Dickinson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dickinson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Dickinson for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$110K to the Town of Dickinson for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $974K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$63K to the Town of Dickinson for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$213K to the Town of Dickinson for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$2K to the Town of Dickinson for repairs
- 2003Snow$4K to the Town of Dickinson for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Snowstorms$7K to the Town of Dickinson 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 Dickinson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dickinson archive →Dickinson and its neighbors
Dickinson is 2nd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Dickinson | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Dickinson | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Binghamton | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 281 |
| Kirkwood | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 198 |
| Union | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 495 |
| Fenton | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Johnson City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 194 |
| Chenango | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
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 Dickinson 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 Dickinson
Is Dickinson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dickinson has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #234 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dickinson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Dickinson since 2006, $1.3M in all, or 14.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (19).
Is Dickinson 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 Dickinson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dickinson’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 Dickinson?
By FEMA money that reached Dickinson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $213K to the Town of Dickinson for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 19 paid, $974K.
Is Dickinson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Dickinson’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dickinson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dickinson’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.