On FEMA’s figures, Erin faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erin gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 Erin 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 Erin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erin, and Erin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Erin’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $529K a year in losses across Erin: $456K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erin flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erin, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $1K
Erin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chemung County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Erin
Disasters that paid out in Erin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Erin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Erin for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee6 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$19K to the Town of Erin for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$5K to the Town of Erin for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes3 households applied for aid$25K to the Town of Erin 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 Erin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erin archive →Erin and its neighbors
Erin is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horseheads | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Van Etten | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Erin | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Cayuta | — | 528 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Baldwin | — | 816 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Breesport | — | 628 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 Erin 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 Erin
Is Erin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erin has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Erin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Erin since 2011, $1K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Erin 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 Erin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erin’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 Erin?
By FEMA money that reached Erin, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 6 households applied for aid, $18K approved, and $19K to the Town of Erin for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Erin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Erin’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erin’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.