On FEMA’s figures, Fenton faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fenton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #593 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1979.
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 Fenton 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 Fenton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fenton, and Fenton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #593 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fenton’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, Fenton has more expected damage per building than 78% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Fenton: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fenton flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fenton, from FEMA’s records: 12.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee14 claims · $240K
- The Torrential rain5 claims · $66K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $48K
Fenton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Broome County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fenton
Disasters that paid out in Fenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$260K to the Town of Fenton for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Town of Fenton for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$40K to the Town of Fenton for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$102K to the Town of Fenton for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $240K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$138K to the Town of Fenton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$350K to the Town of Fenton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$167K to the Town of Fenton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$81K to the Town of Fenton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of Fenton for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$23K to the Town of Fenton for repairs
Broome County has had 23 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 Fenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fenton archive →Fenton and its neighbors
Fenton is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Dickinson | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Dickinson | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Kirkwood | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 198 |
| Fenton | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Chenango | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Barker | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Greene | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Colesville | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Chenango Bridge | — | 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 Fenton 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 Fenton
Is Fenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fenton has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #593 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Fenton since 1979, $546K in all, or 12.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (14).
Is Fenton 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 Broome County, 1.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fenton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fenton’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 Fenton?
By FEMA money that reached Fenton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $350K to the Town of Fenton for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 14 paid, $240K.
Is Fenton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Fenton’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fenton’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.