Sampson Theatre · Photo: Shuvaev · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Milo than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milo gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #635 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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 Milo 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 Milo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milo, and Milo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #635 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Milo’s residents live in 6 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, Milo has more expected damage per building than 84% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Milo: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milo flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milo, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Milo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yates County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milo
Disasters that paid out in Milo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Milo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$47K to the Town of Milo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$82K to the Town of Milo for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$6K to the Town of Milo for repairs
Yates County has had 15 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 Milo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milo archive →Milo and its neighbors
Milo is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodi | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Starkey | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Torrey | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Benton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Barrington | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Milo | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Penn Yan | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Jerusalem | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Keuka Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Milo 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 Milo
Is Milo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milo has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #635 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 Milo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Milo since 1978, $264K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Milo 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 Yates County, 1.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Milo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milo’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 Milo?
By FEMA money that reached Milo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $82K to the Town of Milo for repairs.
Is Milo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Milo’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milo’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.