FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Ellisburg than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellisburg gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #342 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1993.
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 Ellisburg 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 Ellisburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ellisburg, and Ellisburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #342 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ellisburg’s residents live in 3 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, Ellisburg has less expected damage per building than 55% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Ellisburg: $920K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ellisburg flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellisburg, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ellisburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellisburg
Disasters that paid out in Ellisburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ellisburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$15K to the Town of Ellisburg for repairs
- 1999Snow$7K to the Town of Ellisburg for repairs
Jefferson County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Ellisburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellisburg archive →Ellisburg and its neighbors
Ellisburg is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Sandy Creek | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Adams | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ellisburg | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Lorraine | — | 878 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Boylston | — | 545 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 Ellisburg 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 Ellisburg
Is Ellisburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ellisburg has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #342 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ellisburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Ellisburg since 1993, $78K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ellisburg 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ellisburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellisburg’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 Ellisburg?
By FEMA money that reached Ellisburg, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2014): $15K to the Town of Ellisburg for repairs.
Is Ellisburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Ellisburg’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellisburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellisburg’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.