Photo: JonRidinger · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Palmyra than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmyra gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #126 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Palmyra 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 Palmyra’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palmyra, and Palmyra’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
A #126 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palmyra’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, Palmyra has less expected damage per building than 83% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $535K a year in losses across Palmyra: $459K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palmyra flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Palmyra. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Palmyra isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palmyra
Disasters that paid out in Palmyra itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Palmyra), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Ice Storm110 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$81K to the Village of Palmyra for repairs
- 1999Snow$6K to the Village of Palmyra for repairs
Wayne County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Palmyra after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palmyra archive →Palmyra and its neighbors
Palmyra has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Palmyra 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 Palmyra
Is Palmyra at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmyra has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #126 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Palmyra 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 Wayne County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Palmyra?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palmyra’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 Palmyra?
By FEMA money that reached Palmyra, Ice Storm (2003): 110 households applied for aid, $51K approved, and $81K to the Village of Palmyra for repairs.
Is Palmyra at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Palmyra’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palmyra.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palmyra’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.