Photo: J. Passepartout · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in South Corning than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Corning gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1984.
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 South Corning 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 South Corning’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Corning, and South Corning’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Corning’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $310K a year in losses across South Corning: $253K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Corning flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Corning, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Corning isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Steuben County.The storms South Corning remembers
None of the 19 disasters declared for Steuben County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Corning itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19841 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Steuben County
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms High Winds, Rain and Flooding, declared for Steuben County
Steuben County has had 19 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 South Corning after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Corning archive →South Corning and its neighbors
South Corning is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corning | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| South Corning | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 South Corning 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 South Corning
Is South Corning at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Corning has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 South Corning flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in South Corning since 1984, $15K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Corning 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 Steuben County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in South Corning?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Corning’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is South Corning at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and South Corning’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Corning.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Corning’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.