Photo: Stilfehler 19:28, 9 July 2007 (CEST) · CC BY-SA 1.0FEMA puts Elmira’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmira gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #48 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1978.
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 Elmira’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elmira 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 Elmira’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elmira, and Elmira’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #48 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elmira’s residents live in 10 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, Elmira has less expected damage per building than 94% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Elmira: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elmira flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elmira, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Elmira is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chemung County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elmira
Disasters that paid out in Elmira itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elmira), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee18 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$18K to the City of Elmira for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes134 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$84K to the City of Elmira for repairs
Chemung County has had 12 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 Elmira after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elmira archive →Elmira and its neighbors
Elmira has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmira | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Southport | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Elmira | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| West Elmira | — | 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 Elmira 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.
- Elmira residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Elmira
Is Elmira at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmira has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #48 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elmira flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Elmira since 1978, $187K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Elmira 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 Chemung County, 1.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Elmira?
Elmira is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Elmira?
By FEMA money that reached Elmira, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): 134 households applied for aid, $109K approved, and $84K to the City of Elmira for repairs.
Is Elmira at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Elmira’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elmira.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elmira’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.