Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Hornell’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hornell gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #414 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Hornell 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 Hornell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hornell, and Hornell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
B #414 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hornell’s residents live in 4 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, Hornell has more expected damage per building than 55% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Hornell: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hornell flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hornell, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hornell 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hornell
Disasters that paid out in Hornell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hornell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the City of Hornell for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes42 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$78K to the City of Hornell for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the City of Hornell for repairs
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 Hornell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hornell archive →Hornell and its neighbors
Hornell has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hornell | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| North Hornell | — | not graded yet | |
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 Hornell 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 Hornell
Is Hornell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hornell has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #414 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 Hornell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Hornell since 1978, $31K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hornell 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 Hornell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hornell’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 Hornell?
By FEMA money that reached Hornell, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): 42 households applied for aid, $27K approved, and $78K to the City of Hornell for repairs.
Is Hornell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Hornell’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hornell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hornell’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.