Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Horseheads than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Horseheads gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #197 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 stands out about Horseheads’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Horseheads 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 Horseheads’ grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Horseheads, and Horseheads’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
A #197 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Horseheads’ 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, Horseheads has less expected damage per building than 74% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Horseheads: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Horseheads flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Horseheads, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Horseheads is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chemung County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Horseheads
Disasters that paid out in Horseheads itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Horseheads), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee11 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes13 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Chemung County has had 12 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 Horseheads after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Horseheads archive →Horseheads and its neighbors
Horseheads 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horseheads | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Horseheads North | — | 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 Horseheads 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.
- Horseheads residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Horseheads
Is Horseheads at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Horseheads has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #197 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Horseheads flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Horseheads since 1978, $31K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Horseheads 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 Chemung County, 1.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Horseheads?
Horseheads is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Horseheads?
By FEMA money that reached Horseheads, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 11 households applied for aid, $51K approved.
Is Horseheads at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Horseheads’ rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Horseheads.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Horseheads’ 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.