Photo: Idawriter · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sullivan than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sullivan gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #661 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 46 claims here since 1981.
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 Sullivan 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 Sullivan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sullivan, and Sullivan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #661 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sullivan’s residents live in 4 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, Sullivan has more expected damage per building than 87% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Sullivan: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sullivan flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sullivan, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain8 claims · $96K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $96K
Sullivan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sullivan
Disasters that paid out in Sullivan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sullivan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the Town of Sullivan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the Town of Sullivan for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$13K to the Town of Sullivan for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$12K to the Town of Sullivan for repairs
Madison County has had 18 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 Sullivan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sullivan archive →Sullivan and its neighbors
Sullivan is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cazenovia | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cicero | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 154 |
| Lenox | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Fenner | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Constantia | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Manlius | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Sullivan | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Vienna | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Bridgeport | — | 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 Sullivan 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 Sullivan
Is Sullivan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sullivan has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #661 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 Sullivan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Sullivan since 1981, $578K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (8).
Is Sullivan 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 Madison County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sullivan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sullivan’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 Sullivan?
By FEMA money that reached Sullivan, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2017): $32K to the Town of Sullivan for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 8 paid, $96K.
Is Sullivan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Sullivan’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sullivan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sullivan’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.