Borodino Hall · Photo: Lvklock · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Spafford than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spafford gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1983.
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 Spafford 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 Spafford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spafford, and Spafford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Spafford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $412K a year in losses across Spafford: $339K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spafford flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spafford, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Blizzard of 19931 claim · $2K
Spafford 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spafford
Disasters that paid out in Spafford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Spafford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$2.5M to the Town of Spafford for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$24K to the Town of Spafford for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$55K to the Town of Spafford 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 Spafford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spafford archive →Spafford and its neighbors
Spafford is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otisco | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Spafford | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Tully | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Skaneateles | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Scott | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Niles | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sempronius | — | 789 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 Spafford 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 Spafford
Is Spafford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spafford has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). 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 Spafford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Spafford since 1983, $3K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Blizzard of 1993 (1).
Is Spafford 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 Spafford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spafford’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 Spafford?
By FEMA money that reached Spafford, Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred (2021): $2.5M to the Town of Spafford for repairs. By flood claims, Blizzard of 1993: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Spafford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Spafford’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spafford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spafford’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.