Less hazard damage per building is expected in Oriskany than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oriskany gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1981.
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 Oriskany 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 Oriskany’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oriskany, and Oriskany’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Oriskany’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $442K a year in losses across Oriskany: $378K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oriskany flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oriskany, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Oriskany 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oriskany
Disasters that paid out in Oriskany itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Oriskany), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$124K to the Village of Oriskany for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$26K to the Village of Oriskany for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2007Record Snow and Near Record Snow$10K to the Village of Oriskany for repairs
- 2004Snow$7K to the Village of Oriskany for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$13K to the Village of Oriskany 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 Oriskany after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oriskany archive →Get ready for what Oriskany 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 Oriskany
Is Oriskany at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oriskany has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Oriskany flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Oriskany since 1981, $2K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Oriskany 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 Oriskany?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oriskany’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 Oriskany?
By FEMA money that reached Oriskany, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $124K to the Village of Oriskany for repairs.
Is Oriskany at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Oriskany’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oriskany.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oriskany’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.