On FEMA’s figures, Thurston faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thurston gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Thurston 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 Thurston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thurston, and Thurston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Thurston’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $380K a year in losses across Thurston: $314K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thurston flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Thurston. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Thurston 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thurston
Disasters that paid out in Thurston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Thurston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$23K to the Town of Thurston for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the Town of Thurston for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the Town of Thurston for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$676 aid approved$428K to the Town of Thurston for repairs
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 Thurston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thurston archive →Thurston and its neighbors
Thurston has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Thurston 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 Thurston
Is Thurston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thurston has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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.
Is Thurston 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 Thurston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thurston’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 Thurston?
By FEMA money that reached Thurston, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): 1 households applied for aid, $676 approved, and $428K to the Town of Thurston for repairs.
Is Thurston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Thurston’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thurston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thurston’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.