Photo: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Johnstown as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnstown gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #571 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Johnstown 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 Johnstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Johnstown, and Johnstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #571 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Johnstown’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, Johnstown has more expected damage per building than 75% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Johnstown: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Johnstown flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Johnstown, from FEMA’s records: 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee3 claims · $18K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $10K
Johnstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Johnstown
Disasters that paid out in Johnstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Johnstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the City of Johnstown for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee24 households applied for aid$44K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $18K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$190K to the City of Johnstown for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes75 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$13K to the City of Johnstown for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Snowstorms$13K to the City of Johnstown for repairs
Fulton County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Johnstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Johnstown archive →Johnstown and its neighbors
Johnstown is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Gloversville | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Johnstown | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Mohawk | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Johnstown 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 Johnstown
Is Johnstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Johnstown has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #571 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Johnstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Johnstown since 1979, $328K in all, or 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (3).
Is Johnstown 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 Fulton County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Johnstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Johnstown’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 Johnstown?
By FEMA money that reached Johnstown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $190K to the City of Johnstown for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 3 paid, $18K.
Is Johnstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Johnstown’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Johnstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Johnstown’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.