Photo: Doug Kerr from now in Binghamton, NY · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Waterloo as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterloo gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #539 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waterloo, and Waterloo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #539 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waterloo’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, Waterloo has more expected damage per building than 71% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Waterloo: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waterloo flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waterloo, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Waterloo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Seneca County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Waterloo
Disasters that paid out in Waterloo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Waterloo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm26 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$5K to the Village of Waterloo for repairs
Seneca County has had 6 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter 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 Waterloo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waterloo archive →Waterloo and its neighbors
Waterloo is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca Falls | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Waterloo | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fayette | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Waterloo | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Is Waterloo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterloo has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #539 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waterloo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Waterloo since 1979, $2K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Waterloo 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 Seneca County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Waterloo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waterloo’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 Waterloo?
By FEMA money that reached Waterloo, Ice Storm (2003): 26 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $5K to the Village of Waterloo for repairs.
Is Waterloo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Waterloo’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waterloo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waterloo’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.