Photo: Doug Kerr · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Johnson City faces more hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnson City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #606 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 194 claims here since 1979.
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 Johnson City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Johnson City 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 Johnson City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Johnson City, and Johnson City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #606 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Johnson City’s residents live in 5 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, Johnson City has more expected damage per building than 80% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Johnson City: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Johnson City flood? Yes: 194 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Johnson City, from FEMA’s records: 25.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee135 claims · $12.6M
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $8K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $85K
Johnson City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Broome County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Johnson City
Disasters that paid out in Johnson City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Johnson City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$62K to the Village of Johnson City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee1,716 households applied for aid$7.9M aid approved$3.0M to the Village of Johnson City for repairs135 flood claims paid for it, $12.6M
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$91K to the Village of Johnson City for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$107K aid approved$161K to the Village of Johnson City for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding646 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$355K to the Village of Johnson City for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding49 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$56K to the Village of Johnson City for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan28 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$6K to the Village of Johnson City for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Snow$18K to the Village of Johnson City for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$36K to the Village of Johnson City for repairs
Broome County has had 23 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 Johnson City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Johnson City archive →Johnson City and its neighbors
Johnson City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickinson | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Vestal | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 434 |
| Binghamton | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 281 |
| Union | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 495 |
| Johnson City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 194 |
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 Johnson City 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.
- Johnson City 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 Johnson City
Is Johnson City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnson City has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #606 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Johnson City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 194 claims in Johnson City since 1979, $14.8M in all, or 25.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 28 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (135).
Is Johnson City 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 Broome County, 1.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Johnson City?
Johnson City 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 Johnson City?
By FEMA money that reached Johnson City, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 1,716 households applied for aid, $7.9M approved, and $3.0M to the Village of Johnson City for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 135 paid, $12.6M.
Is Johnson City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Johnson City’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Johnson City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Johnson City’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.