Photo: DanielPenfield · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Oneonta than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oneonta gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #629 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1978.
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 Oneonta’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oneonta 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 Oneonta’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oneonta, and Oneonta’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #629 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oneonta’s residents live in 4 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, Oneonta has more expected damage per building than 83% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Oneonta: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oneonta flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oneonta, from FEMA’s records: 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee8 claims · $47K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $5K
Oneonta isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otsego County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oneonta
Disasters that paid out in Oneonta itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oneonta), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$69K to the City of Oneonta for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee80 households applied for aid$138K aid approved$268K to the City of Oneonta for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $47K
- 2011Hurricane Irene26 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$6K to the City of Oneonta for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding410 households applied for aid$889K aid approved$2.9M to the City of Oneonta for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$312K to the City of Oneonta for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$35K to the City of Oneonta for repairs
Otsego County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Oneonta after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oneonta archive →Oneonta and its neighbors
Oneonta has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oneonta | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| West End | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Oneonta 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 Oneonta
Is Oneonta at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oneonta has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #629 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oneonta flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Oneonta since 1978, $1.2M in all, or 6.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (8).
Is Oneonta 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 Otsego County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oneonta?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oneonta’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 Oneonta?
By FEMA money that reached Oneonta, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 410 households applied for aid, $889K approved, and $2.9M to the City of Oneonta for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 8 paid, $47K.
Is Oneonta at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Oneonta’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oneonta.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oneonta’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.