Photo: RochesterNY · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Seneca Falls faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seneca Falls gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #461 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1979.
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 Seneca Falls 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 Seneca Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seneca Falls, and Seneca Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
B #461 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seneca Falls’ residents live in 3 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, Seneca Falls has more expected damage per building than 61% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Seneca Falls: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seneca Falls flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seneca Falls, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Seneca Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Seneca County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Seneca Falls
Disasters that paid out in Seneca Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Seneca Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm4 households applied for aid$2K to the Town of Seneca Falls for repairs
Seneca County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 Seneca Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seneca Falls archive →Seneca Falls and its neighbors
Seneca Falls is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurelius | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Springport | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Seneca Falls | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Waterloo | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fayette | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Waterloo | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Tyre | — | not graded yet | |
| Cayuga | — | 575 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Seneca Falls 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 Seneca Falls
Is Seneca Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seneca Falls has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #461 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seneca Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Seneca Falls since 1979, $149K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Seneca Falls 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 Seneca County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Seneca Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seneca Falls’ 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 Seneca Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Seneca Falls, Ice Storm (2003): 4 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $2K to the Town of Seneca Falls for repairs.
Is Seneca Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Seneca Falls’ rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seneca Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seneca Falls’ 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.