Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Greene than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greene gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 76 claims here since 1986.
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 stands out about Greene’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greene 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 Greene’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greene, and Greene’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greene’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $703K a year in losses across Greene: $613K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greene flood? Sometimes: 76 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greene, from FEMA’s records: 91.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee39 claims · $1.5M
- The Torrential rain11 claims · $160K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $1K
Greene isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chenango County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greene
Disasters that paid out in Greene itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Greene), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Village of Greene for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Village of Greene for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee169 households applied for aid$464K aid approved$217K to the Village of Greene for repairs39 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding51 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$215K to the Village of Greene for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding103 households applied for aid$280K aid approved$182K to the Village of Greene for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding45 households applied for aid$87K aid approved$32K to the Village of Greene for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2002Snowstorms$5K to the Village of Greene for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Village of Greene for repairs
Chenango County has had 24 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 Greene after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greene archive →Get ready for what Greene 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 Greene
Is Greene at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greene has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. 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 Greene flood?
Flood insurance has paid 76 claims in Greene since 1986, $2.6M in all, or 91.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (39).
Is Greene 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 Chenango County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greene?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greene’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 Greene?
By FEMA money that reached Greene, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 169 households applied for aid, $464K approved, and $217K to the Village of Greene for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 39 paid, $1.5M.
Is Greene at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Greene’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greene.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greene’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.