Storms, floods and disasters in Fair Haven
Fair Haven isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Fair Haven yet. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2017.
What Fair Haven 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.
Does Fair Haven flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fair Haven, from FEMA’s records.
Fair Haven isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cayuga County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fair Haven
Disasters that paid out in Fair Haven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Fair Haven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding$61K to the Village of Fair Haven for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Snow$2K to the Village of Fair Haven for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm28 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$64K to the Village of Fair Haven for repairs
Cayuga 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 Fair Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fair Haven archive →Fair Haven and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Fair Haven 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 Fair Haven
Does Fair Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fair Haven since 2017, $22K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fair Haven 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 Cayuga County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fair Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fair Haven’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 Fair Haven?
By FEMA money that reached Fair Haven, Ice Storm (2003): 28 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $64K to the Village of Fair Haven for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fair Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fair Haven’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.