Photo: Joegrimes at English Wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Manlius faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manlius gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #694 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1981.
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 Manlius 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 Manlius’ grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manlius, and Manlius’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #694 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manlius’ residents live in 4 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, Manlius has more expected damage per building than 92% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Manlius: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manlius flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manlius, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Manlius isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Onondaga County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manlius
Disasters that paid out in Manlius itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Manlius), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$135K to the Village of Manlius for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$37K to the Village of Manlius for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Onondaga County has had 13 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 Manlius after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manlius archive →Get ready for what Manlius 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 Manlius
Is Manlius at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manlius has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #694 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manlius flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Manlius since 1981, $39K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Manlius 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 Onondaga County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manlius?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manlius’ 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 Manlius?
By FEMA money that reached Manlius, Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred (2021): $135K to the Village of Manlius for repairs.
Is Manlius at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Manlius’ rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manlius.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manlius’ 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.