On FEMA’s figures, Seward faces less hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seward gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
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 Seward 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 Seward’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seward, and Seward’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Seward’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $468K a year in losses across Seward: $383K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seward flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seward, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $1K
Seward isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Schoharie County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seward
Disasters that paid out in Seward itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Seward), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Town of Seward for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$57K to the Town of Seward for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$888 to the Town of Seward for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$83K to the Town of Seward for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$59K to the Town of Seward for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$165K to the Town of Seward for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Seward for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of Seward for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Seward for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$17K to the Town of Seward for repairs
Schoharie County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Seward after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seward archive →Seward and its neighbors
Seward is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Seward | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Cobleskill | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Richmondville | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Roseboom | — | 630 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Decatur | — | 328 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 Seward 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 Seward
Is Seward at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seward has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Seward flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Seward since 2011, $1K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Seward 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 Schoharie County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Seward?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seward’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 Seward?
By FEMA money that reached Seward, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $165K to the Town of Seward for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Seward at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Seward’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seward.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seward’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.