Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Little Falls as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Falls gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #535 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Little Falls 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 Little Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Little Falls, and Little Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #535 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Little Falls’ 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, Little Falls has more expected damage per building than 71% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Little Falls: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Little Falls flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Little Falls, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Little Falls 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Little Falls
Disasters that paid out in Little Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Little Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$28K to the City of Little Falls for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the City of Little Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$577K to the City of Little Falls for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$1.1M to the City of Little Falls for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$77K to the City of Little Falls for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene17 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$12K to the City of Little Falls for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$78K to the City of Little Falls for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding167 households applied for aid$238K aid approved$735K to the City of Little Falls for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$26K to the City of Little Falls for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$32K to the City of Little Falls for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$129K to the City of Little Falls 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 Little Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Little Falls archive →Little Falls and its neighbors
Little Falls is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Falls | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Manheim | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Little Falls | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Danube | — | 888 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Little Falls 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 Little Falls
Is Little Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Falls has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #535 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Little Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Little Falls since 1979, $549K in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Little Falls 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 Little Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Little Falls’ 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 Little Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Little Falls, Severe Storms and Flooding (2013): $1.1M to the City of Little Falls for repairs.
Is Little Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Little Falls’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Little Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Little Falls’ 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.