FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Sidney than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sidney gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #607 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 331 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 stands out about Sidney’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sidney 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 Sidney’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sidney, and Sidney’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #607 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sidney’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, Sidney has more expected damage per building than 80% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Sidney: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sidney flood? Yes: 331 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sidney, from FEMA’s records: 166.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee180 claims · $9.0M
- Hurricane Gloria3 claims · $9K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $3K
Sidney isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sidney
Disasters that paid out in Sidney itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sidney), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Village of Sidney for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee365 households applied for aid$950K aid approved$465K to the Village of Sidney for repairs180 flood claims paid for it, $9.0M
- 2011Hurricane Irene34 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$28K to the Village of Sidney for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding524 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$4.5M to the Village of Sidney for repairs116 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$204K to the Village of Sidney for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$31K to the Village of Sidney for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Village of Sidney for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$17K to the Village of Sidney for repairs
Delaware County has had 30 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 Sidney after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sidney archive →Sidney and its neighbors
Sidney has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 331 |
| Sidney | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Unadilla | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Bainbridge | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
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 Sidney 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 Sidney
Is Sidney at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sidney has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #607 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 Sidney flood?
Flood insurance has paid 331 claims in Sidney since 1979, $15.8M in all, or 166.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 91 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (180).
Is Sidney 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 Delaware County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sidney?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sidney’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 Sidney?
By FEMA money that reached Sidney, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 524 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $4.5M to the Village of Sidney for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 180 paid, $9.0M.
Is Sidney at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Sidney’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sidney.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sidney’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.