On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Marcy, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marcy gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #3 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Marcy 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
Strong wind
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 Marcy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Marcy, and Marcy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 6% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #3 of 758 in New York; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Marcy’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, Marcy has less expected damage per building than 100% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Marcy: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Marcy flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Marcy, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $5K
Marcy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oneida County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Marcy
Disasters that paid out in Marcy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Marcy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of Marcy for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee5 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$6K to the Town of Marcy for repairs
- 2007Record Snow and Near Record Snow$12K to the Town of Marcy for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Snow$20K to the Town of Marcy for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Ice Storm$7K to the Town of Marcy for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$17K to the Town of Marcy for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$77K to the Town of Marcy for repairs
Oneida County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, 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 Marcy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Marcy archive →Marcy and its neighbors
Marcy has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcy | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Deerfield | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Floyd | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Utica | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Trenton | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Whitestown | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Stittville | — | 155 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 Marcy 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Marcy
Is Marcy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Marcy has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #3 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Marcy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Marcy since 2011, $22K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% 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 Marcy 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 Oneida County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Marcy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Marcy’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 Marcy?
By FEMA money that reached Marcy, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $77K to the Town of Marcy for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Marcy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Marcy’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Marcy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Marcy’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.