Photo: Dclemens1971 · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts New York Mills’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New York Mills gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #235 of 758 in New York State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 33 claims here since 1992.
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 New York Mills’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New York Mills 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
Earthquakes
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 York Mills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in New York Mills, and New York Mills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A #235 of 758 in New York State; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of New York Mills’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York State town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, New York Mills has less expected damage per building than 69% of New York State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across New York Mills: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New York Mills flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New York Mills, from FEMA’s records: 17.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $439K
- Hurricane Sandy9 claims · $686K
- The Blizzard of 19931 claim · $24K
New York Mills isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oneida County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New York Mills
Disasters that paid out in New York Mills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New York Mills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Village of New York Mills for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee34 households applied for aid$55K aid approved$8K to the Village of New York Mills for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$5K to the Village of New York Mills for repairs
- 2007Record Snow and Near Record Snow$7K to the Village of New York Mills for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$267 aid approved
- 2004Snow$6K to the Village of New York Mills for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Ice Storm1 households applied for aid$3K to the Village of New York Mills for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$9K to the Village of New York Mills for repairs
Oneida County has had 21 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 York Mills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New York Mills archive →New York Mills and its neighbors
New York Mills is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utica | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| New York Mills | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| New Hartford | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Yorkville | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 York Mills 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 York Mills
Is New York Mills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New York Mills has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #235 of 758 in New York State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (8%). 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 New York Mills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in New York Mills since 1992, $1.4M in all, or 17.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (9).
Is New York Mills 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 Oneida County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New York Mills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New York Mills’ 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 York Mills?
By FEMA money that reached New York Mills, Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee (2011): 34 households applied for aid, $55K approved, and $8K to the Village of New York Mills for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 9 paid, $439K.
Is New York Mills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and New York Mills’ rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New York Mills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New York Mills’ 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.