Storms, floods and disasters in McDonough
McDonough isn’t graded for hazard risk: McDonough has 946 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
What McDonough 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.
Does McDonough flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McDonough, from FEMA’s records.
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $29K
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $18K
McDonough isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chenango County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McDonough
Disasters that paid out in McDonough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of McDonough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$682K to the Town of McDonough for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Town of McDonough for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$45K to the Town of McDonough for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$47K to the Town of McDonough for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of McDonough for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$108K to the Town of McDonough for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2003Ice Storm$12K to the Town of McDonough for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of McDonough for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$8K to the Town of McDonough for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of McDonough for repairs
Chenango County has had 24 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 McDonough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McDonough archive →McDonough and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithville | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pharsalia | — | 563 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Preston | — | 856 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| German | — | 274 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 McDonough 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 McDonough
Does McDonough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in McDonough since 1979, $71K in all. The most claims came from Torrential rain (3).
Is McDonough 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 Chenango County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in McDonough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McDonough’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 McDonough?
By FEMA money that reached McDonough, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $682K to the Town of McDonough for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 3 paid, $29K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McDonough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McDonough’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.