Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts East Syracuse’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Syracuse gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #121 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 East Syracuse 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 East Syracuse’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Syracuse, and East Syracuse’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
A #121 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Syracuse’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, East Syracuse has less expected damage per building than 84% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $703K a year in losses across East Syracuse: $588K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Syracuse flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Syracuse, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
East Syracuse isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Onondaga County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to East Syracuse
Disasters that paid out in East Syracuse itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of East Syracuse), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$6K to the Village of East Syracuse for repairs
Onondaga County has had 13 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 East Syracuse after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Syracuse archive →East Syracuse and its neighbors
East Syracuse has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 East Syracuse 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 East Syracuse
Is East Syracuse at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Syracuse has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #121 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). 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 East Syracuse flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in East Syracuse since 1981, $224K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is East Syracuse 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 Onondaga County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Syracuse?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Syracuse’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 East Syracuse?
By FEMA money that reached East Syracuse, Ice Storm (2003): 7 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $6K to the Village of East Syracuse for repairs.
Is East Syracuse at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and East Syracuse’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Syracuse.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Syracuse’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.