More hazard damage per building is expected in Italy than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Italy gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Italy 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 Italy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Italy, and Italy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Italy’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $423K a year in losses across Italy: $359K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Italy flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Italy, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Italy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yates County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Italy
Disasters that paid out in Italy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Italy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$770K to the Town of Italy for repairs
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$1.2M to the Town of Italy for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$588K to the Town of Italy for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$141K to the Town of Italy for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$213K to the Town of Italy for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$525K to the Town of Italy for repairs
Yates County has had 15 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 Italy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Italy archive →Italy and its neighbors
Italy is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Bristol | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Prattsburgh | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Jerusalem | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Italy | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Naples | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Italy 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 Italy
Is Italy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Italy has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Italy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Italy since 2011, $29K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Italy 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 Yates County, 1.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Italy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Italy’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 Italy?
By FEMA money that reached Italy, Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred (2021): $1.2M to the Town of Italy for repairs.
Is Italy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Italy’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Italy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Italy’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.