Photo: Doug Kerr from Upstate New York · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in New Berlin than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Berlin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1979.
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 New Berlin 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 New Berlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Berlin, and New Berlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Berlin’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across New Berlin: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Berlin flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Berlin, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $17K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $5K
New Berlin 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 New Berlin
Disasters that paid out in New Berlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Berlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$47K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$95K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$114K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs
Show all 10
- 2003Ice Storm$12K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs
- 2003Snow$10K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$19K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the Town of New Berlin 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 New Berlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Berlin archive →New Berlin and its neighbors
New Berlin is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| North Norwich | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| New Berlin | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Norwich | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Sherburne | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Morris | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Butternuts | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| New Berlin | — | 989 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Columbus | — | 849 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 New Berlin 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 New Berlin
Is New Berlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Berlin has higher expected damage per building than 79% 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 New Berlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in New Berlin since 1979, $79K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (1).
Is New Berlin 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 New Berlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Berlin’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 New Berlin?
By FEMA money that reached New Berlin, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $114K to the Town of New Berlin for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 1 paid, $17K.
Is New Berlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and New Berlin’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Berlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Berlin’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.