Storms, floods and disasters in Sylvan Beach
Sylvan Beach isn’t graded for hazard risk: Sylvan Beach has 881 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1979.
What Sylvan Beach 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.
Does Sylvan Beach flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sylvan Beach, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $24K
Sylvan Beach isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Oneida County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sylvan Beach
Disasters that paid out in Sylvan Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sylvan Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Village of Sylvan Beach for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$18K to the Village of Sylvan Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Record Snow and Near Record Snow$6K to the Village of Sylvan Beach for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Village of Sylvan Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Snow$5K to the Village of Sylvan Beach for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$15K to the Village of Sylvan Beach for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Snowstorms$3K to the Village of Sylvan Beach for repairs
Oneida County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, 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 Sylvan Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sylvan Beach archive →Get ready for what Sylvan Beach 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 Sylvan Beach
Does Sylvan Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Sylvan Beach since 1979, $598K in all. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Sylvan Beach 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 Oneida County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sylvan Beach?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sylvan Beach’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 Sylvan Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Sylvan Beach, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $18K to the Village of Sylvan Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $24K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sylvan Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sylvan Beach’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.