West Hill Cemetery · Photo: Schlitzer90 · CC0FEMA puts Sherburne’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sherburne gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #704 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1996.
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 Sherburne 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 Sherburne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sherburne, and Sherburne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #704 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sherburne’s 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, Sherburne has more expected damage per building than 93% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Sherburne: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sherburne flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sherburne, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $8K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $10K
Sherburne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chenango County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sherburne
Disasters that paid out in Sherburne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sherburne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$487K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$150K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$93K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$55K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$29K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$59K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$8K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$11K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$56K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
Chenango County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe 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 Sherburne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sherburne archive →Sherburne and its neighbors
Sherburne is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Smyrna | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| North Norwich | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| New Berlin | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Sherburne | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Columbus | — | 849 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 Sherburne 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 Sherburne
Is Sherburne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sherburne has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #704 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sherburne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Sherburne since 1996, $183K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Sherburne 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 Chenango County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sherburne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sherburne’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 Sherburne?
By FEMA money that reached Sherburne, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): $487K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $8K.
Is Sherburne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Sherburne’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sherburne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sherburne’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.