Nelson Welsh Congregational Church · Photo: Beangus · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Nelson than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nelson gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Nelson 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 Nelson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nelson, and Nelson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Nelson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $503K a year in losses across Nelson: $421K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nelson flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nelson, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Henri1 claim · $32K
Nelson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nelson
Disasters that paid out in Nelson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Nelson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$61K to the Town of Nelson for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Nelson for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the Town of Nelson for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the Town of Nelson for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$12K to the Town of Nelson for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$4K to the Town of Nelson for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Nelson for repairs
Madison 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 Nelson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nelson archive →Nelson and its neighbors
Nelson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Cazenovia | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Eaton | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fenner | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Georgetown | — | 603 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 Nelson 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 Nelson
Is Nelson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nelson has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nelson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Nelson since 2021, $32K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Henri (1).
Is Nelson 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 Madison County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Nelson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nelson’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 Nelson?
By FEMA money that reached Nelson, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $61K to the Town of Nelson for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Henri: 1 paid, $32K.
Is Nelson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Nelson’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nelson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nelson’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.