Photo: Webb_Herkimer_NY.png: Schzmo *derivative work: Liesel · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Litchfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Litchfield gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Litchfield 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 Litchfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Litchfield, and Litchfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Litchfield’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $476K a year in losses across Litchfield: $419K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Litchfield flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Litchfield, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $9K
Litchfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Herkimer County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Litchfield
Disasters that paid out in Litchfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Litchfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Town of Litchfield for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the Town of Litchfield for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene$44K to the Town of Litchfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Town of Litchfield for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$6K to the Town of Litchfield for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the Town of Litchfield for repairs
Herkimer County has had 18 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 Litchfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Litchfield archive →Litchfield and its neighbors
Litchfield is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| New Hartford | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Frankfort | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Columbia | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Winfield | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Litchfield | B−less damage than 50% | 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 Litchfield 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 Litchfield
Is Litchfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Litchfield has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Litchfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Litchfield since 2011, $14K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Litchfield 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 Herkimer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Litchfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Litchfield’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 Litchfield?
By FEMA money that reached Litchfield, Hurricane Irene (2011): $44K to the Town of Litchfield for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $9K.
Is Litchfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Litchfield’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Litchfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Litchfield’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.