Emmanuel Episcopal Church Complex · Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Norwich than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwich gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 147 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 stands out about Norwich’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Norwich 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 Norwich’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norwich, and Norwich’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #757 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norwich’s residents live in 2 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, Norwich has more expected damage per building than 100% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Norwich: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norwich flood? Yes: 147 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norwich, from FEMA’s records: 43.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee20 claims · $59K
- The Torrential rain16 claims · $81K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $8K
Norwich 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 Norwich
Disasters that paid out in Norwich itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Norwich), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$58K to the City of Norwich for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$47K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee77 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$274K to the City of Norwich for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $59K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$7K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding372 households applied for aid$638K aid approved$459K to the City of Norwich for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding70 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$197K to the City of Norwich for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$14K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$33K to the City of Norwich for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$113K to the City of Norwich 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 Norwich after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norwich archive →Get ready for what Norwich 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 Norwich
Is Norwich at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwich has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norwich flood?
Flood insurance has paid 147 claims in Norwich since 1979, $1.5M in all, or 43.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (20).
Is Norwich 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 Norwich?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norwich’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 Norwich?
By FEMA money that reached Norwich, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 372 households applied for aid, $638K approved, and $459K to the City of Norwich for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 20 paid, $59K.
Is Norwich at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Norwich’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norwich.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norwich’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.