FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Ilion than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ilion gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #735 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 152 claims here since 1982.
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 Ilion’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ilion 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 Ilion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ilion, and Ilion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #735 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ilion’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, Ilion has more expected damage per building than 97% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Ilion: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ilion flood? Yes: 152 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ilion, from FEMA’s records: 38.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee17 claims · $88K
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $49K
Ilion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Herkimer County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ilion
Disasters that paid out in Ilion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Ilion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Village of Ilion for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$203K to the Village of Ilion for repairs99 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee45 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$85K to the Village of Ilion for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $88K
- 2011Hurricane Irene104 households applied for aid$102K aid approved$12K to the Village of Ilion for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $49K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the Village of Ilion for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding93 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$209K to the Village of Ilion for repairs
Show all 8
- 2002Snowstorms$15K to the Village of Ilion for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Village of Ilion for repairs
Herkimer County has had 18 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 Ilion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ilion archive →Ilion and its neighbors
Ilion is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frankfort | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Herkimer | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Mohawk | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| German Flatts | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ilion | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 152 |
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 Ilion 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 Ilion
Is Ilion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ilion has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #735 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ilion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 152 claims in Ilion since 1982, $1.3M in all, or 38.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (17).
Is Ilion 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 Herkimer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ilion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ilion’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 Ilion?
By FEMA money that reached Ilion, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 93 households applied for aid, $53K approved, and $209K to the Village of Ilion for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 17 paid, $88K.
Is Ilion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Ilion’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ilion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ilion’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.