More hazard damage per building is expected in Mohawk than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mohawk gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 stands out about Mohawk’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mohawk 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 Mohawk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mohawk, and Mohawk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mohawk’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $776K a year in losses across Mohawk: $691K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mohawk flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mohawk, from FEMA’s records: 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $6K
Mohawk 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mohawk
Disasters that paid out in Mohawk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Mohawk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Village of Mohawk for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the Village of Mohawk for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$7.6M to the Village of Mohawk for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$13K to the Village of Mohawk for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $6K
- 2011Hurricane Irene42 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$11K to the Village of Mohawk for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Village of Mohawk for repairs
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding228 households applied for aid$378K aid approved$90K to the Village of Mohawk for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$7K to the Village of Mohawk for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Village of Mohawk 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 Mohawk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mohawk archive →Mohawk and its neighbors
Mohawk is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herkimer | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Herkimer | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Mohawk | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| German Flatts | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Ilion | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 152 |
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 Mohawk 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 Mohawk
Is Mohawk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mohawk has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mohawk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Mohawk since 1981, $865K in all, or 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (2).
Is Mohawk 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 Mohawk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mohawk’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 Mohawk?
By FEMA money that reached Mohawk, Severe Storms and Flooding (2013): $7.6M to the Village of Mohawk for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Mohawk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Mohawk’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mohawk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mohawk’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.