Garrett Memorial Chapel · Photo: Kevin James Curtis (KJC402) · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Jerusalem faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jerusalem gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #684 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jerusalem, and Jerusalem’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #684 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Jerusalem’s residents live in 3 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, Jerusalem has more expected damage per building than 90% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Jerusalem: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jerusalem flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jerusalem, from FEMA’s records: 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Fred2 claims · $46K
Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem
Disasters that paid out in Jerusalem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Jerusalem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$2.0M to the Town of Jerusalem for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $46K
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$988K to the Town of Jerusalem for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$84K to the Town of Jerusalem for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$141K to the Town of Jerusalem for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$18K to the Town of Jerusalem for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$335K to the Town of Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jerusalem archive →Jerusalem and its neighbors
Jerusalem is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pulteney | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Barrington | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Potter | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Milo | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Penn Yan | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Jerusalem | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Italy | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Wayne | — | not graded yet | |
| Keuka Park | — | 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 Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem
Is Jerusalem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jerusalem has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #684 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 Jerusalem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Jerusalem since 1978, $492K in all, or 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Fred (2).
Is Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jerusalem’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 Jerusalem?
By FEMA money that reached Jerusalem, Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred (2021): $2.0M to the Town of Jerusalem for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Fred: 2 paid, $46K.
Is Jerusalem at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Jerusalem’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jerusalem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jerusalem’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.