Photo: User:Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Erwin faces more hazard damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erwin gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #618 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 30 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 Erwin 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 Erwin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erwin, and Erwin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #618 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Erwin’s residents live in 2 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, Erwin has more expected damage per building than 82% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Erwin: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erwin flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erwin, from FEMA’s records: 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Erwin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Steuben County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Erwin
Disasters that paid out in Erwin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Erwin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$69K to the Town of Erwin for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$11K to the Town of Erwin for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of Erwin for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$57K to the Town of Erwin for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$94K to the Town of Erwin for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Steuben County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe 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 Erwin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erwin archive →Erwin and its neighbors
Erwin is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corning | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Hornby | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lindley | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Erwin | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Addison | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Painted Post | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Campbell | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Erwin 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 Erwin
Is Erwin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erwin has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #618 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Erwin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Erwin since 1978, $154K in all, or 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Erwin 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 Steuben County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Erwin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erwin’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 Erwin?
By FEMA money that reached Erwin, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): $94K to the Town of Erwin for repairs.
Is Erwin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Erwin’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erwin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erwin’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.