Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Waterville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Waterville 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 Waterville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waterville, and Waterville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waterville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $408K a year in losses across Waterville: $330K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waterville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waterville, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $2K
Waterville 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waterville
Disasters that paid out in Waterville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Waterville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$154K to the Village of Waterville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Village of Waterville for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee14 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2003Ice Storm3 households applied for aid$756 aid approved$2K to the Village of Waterville 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 Waterville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waterville archive →Get ready for what Waterville 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 Waterville
Is Waterville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waterville has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waterville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Waterville since 2005, $6K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Waterville 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 Waterville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waterville’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 Waterville?
By FEMA money that reached Waterville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $154K to the Village of Waterville for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Waterville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Waterville’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waterville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waterville’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.