FEMA puts Solvay’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solvay gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #32 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1978.
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 Solvay 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
Strong wind
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 Solvay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Solvay, and Solvay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 5% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #32 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Solvay’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, Solvay has less expected damage per building than 96% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $781K a year in losses across Solvay: $559K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Solvay flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Solvay, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Solvay isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Onondaga County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Solvay
Disasters that paid out in Solvay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Solvay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$72K to the Village of Solvay for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Village of Solvay for repairs
Onondaga County has had 13 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 Solvay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Solvay archive →Solvay and its neighbors
Solvay 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solvay | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Geddes | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Camillus | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Syracuse | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 93 |
| Fairmount | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Solvay 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Solvay
Is Solvay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Solvay has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #32 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and strong wind (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Solvay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Solvay since 1978, $11K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Solvay 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 Onondaga County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Solvay?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Solvay’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 Solvay?
By FEMA money that reached Solvay, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $72K to the Village of Solvay for repairs.
Is Solvay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Solvay’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Solvay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Solvay’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.