On FEMA’s figures, New Bremen faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Bremen gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #530 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Bremen 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 Bremen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Bremen, and New Bremen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #530 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Bremen’s residents live in 3 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, New Bremen has more expected damage per building than 70% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $865K a year in losses across New Bremen: $766K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Bremen flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Bremen, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
New Bremen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Bremen
Disasters that paid out in New Bremen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Bremen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$9K to the Town of New Bremen for repairs
- 2007Record Snow and Near Record Snow$9K to the Town of New Bremen for repairs
- 2004Snow$8K to the Town of New Bremen for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the Town of New Bremen for repairs
- 1999Snow$5K to the Town of New Bremen for repairs
Lewis County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, 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 New Bremen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Bremen archive →New Bremen and its neighbors
New Bremen is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowville | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Denmark | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Croghan | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| New Bremen | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Watson | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Bremen 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 Bremen
Is New Bremen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Bremen has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #530 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Bremen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in New Bremen since 2024, $18K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is New Bremen 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 Lewis County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in New Bremen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Bremen’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 Bremen?
By FEMA money that reached New Bremen, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $33K to the Town of New Bremen for repairs.
Is New Bremen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and New Bremen’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Bremen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Bremen’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.