Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Ithaca than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ithaca gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #710 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 66 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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ithaca, and Ithaca’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #710 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ithaca’s residents live in 13 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, Ithaca has more expected damage per building than 94% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across Ithaca: $13.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ithaca flood? Sometimes: 66 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ithaca, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $13K
Ithaca isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tompkins County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ithaca
Disasters that paid out in Ithaca itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ithaca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the City of Ithaca for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$138K to the City of Ithaca for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $13K
Tompkins County has had 14 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 Ithaca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ithaca archive →Ithaca and its neighbors
Ithaca is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cayuga Heights | B+less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Ithaca | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| South Hill | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Northwest Ithaca | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| East Ithaca | — | 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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca
Is Ithaca at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ithaca has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #710 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ithaca flood?
Flood insurance has paid 66 claims in Ithaca since 1978, $188K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (2).
Is Ithaca 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 Tompkins County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ithaca?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ithaca’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 Ithaca?
By FEMA money that reached Ithaca, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): $138K to the City of Ithaca for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 2 paid, $13K.
Is Ithaca at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Ithaca’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ithaca.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ithaca’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.