Storms, floods and disasters in Florence
Florence isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Florence yet. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1978.
What Florence 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 Florence flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Florence, from FEMA’s records.
Florence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oneida County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Florence
Disasters that paid out in Florence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Florence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$13K to the Town of Florence for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Town of Florence for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$22K to the Town of Florence for repairs
- 2007Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the Town of Florence for repairs
- 2004Snow$12K to the Town of Florence for repairs
Oneida County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, 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 Florence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Florence archive →Florence 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamstown | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Annsville | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Camden | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lewis | — | 913 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Osceola | — | 134 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Redfield | — | 386 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 Florence 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 Florence
Does Florence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Florence since 1978, $3K in all.
Is Florence 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 Oneida County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Florence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Florence’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 Florence?
By FEMA money that reached Florence, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $22K to the Town of Florence for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Florence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Florence’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.