Photo: Joegrimes at English Wikipedia · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Onondaga than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Onondaga gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #74 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 Onondaga’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Onondaga 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 Onondaga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Onondaga, and Onondaga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #74 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Onondaga’s residents live in 6 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, Onondaga has less expected damage per building than 90% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Onondaga: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Onondaga flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Onondaga, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Fred2 claims · $8K
Onondaga isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Onondaga County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Onondaga
Disasters that paid out in Onondaga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Onondaga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$32K to the Town of Onondaga for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Onondaga for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$107K to the Town of Onondaga for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the Town of Onondaga for repairs
Onondaga County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 Onondaga after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Onondaga archive →Onondaga and its neighbors
Onondaga is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otisco | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Onondaga | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Marcellus | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Camillus | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| LaFayette | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Syracuse | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 93 |
| Nedrow | — | 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 Onondaga 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 Onondaga
Is Onondaga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Onondaga has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #74 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Onondaga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Onondaga since 1978, $336K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Fred (2).
Is Onondaga 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 Onondaga County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Onondaga?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Onondaga’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 Onondaga?
By FEMA money that reached Onondaga, Ice Storm (2003): $107K to the Town of Onondaga for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Fred: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Onondaga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Onondaga’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Onondaga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Onondaga’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.