FEMA puts Reading’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reading gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1993.
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 Reading 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 Reading’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reading, and Reading’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Reading’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $428K a year in losses across Reading: $316K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reading flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Reading, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Reading isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Schuyler County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Reading
Disasters that paid out in Reading itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Reading), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$7K to the Town of Reading for repairs
Schuyler County has had 9 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 Reading after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reading archive →Reading and its neighbors
Reading has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hector | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Watkins Glen | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Starkey | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Dix | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Tyrone | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Reading 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 Reading
Is Reading at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reading has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). 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 Reading flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Reading since 1993, $6K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Reading 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 Schuyler County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Reading?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reading’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 Reading?
By FEMA money that reached Reading, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): $7K to the Town of Reading for repairs.
Is Reading at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Reading’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reading.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reading’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.