Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Trumansburg than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trumansburg gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1978.
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 Trumansburg 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 Trumansburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Trumansburg, and Trumansburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Trumansburg’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $333K a year in losses across Trumansburg: $257K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Trumansburg flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Trumansburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Trumansburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tompkins County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Trumansburg
Disasters that paid out in Trumansburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Trumansburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Village of Trumansburg for repairs
Tompkins County has had 14 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 Trumansburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Trumansburg archive →Get ready for what Trumansburg 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 Trumansburg
Is Trumansburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trumansburg has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Trumansburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Trumansburg since 1978, $902 in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Trumansburg 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 Tompkins County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Trumansburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Trumansburg’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 Trumansburg?
By FEMA money that reached Trumansburg, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2017): $5K to the Village of Trumansburg for repairs.
Is Trumansburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Trumansburg’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Trumansburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Trumansburg’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.