Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Watkins Glen than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watkins Glen gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1993.
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 Watkins Glen 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 Watkins Glen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watkins Glen, and Watkins Glen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Watkins Glen’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $537K a year in losses across Watkins Glen: $433K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watkins Glen flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watkins Glen, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Watkins Glen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Schuyler County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watkins Glen
Disasters that paid out in Watkins Glen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Watkins Glen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$62K to the Village of Watkins Glen for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$71K to the Village of Watkins Glen for repairs
Schuyler County has had 9 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 Watkins Glen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watkins Glen archive →Watkins Glen and its neighbors
Watkins Glen is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hector | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Watkins Glen | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Dix | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Montour | C+more damage than 62% | 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 Watkins Glen 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 Watkins Glen
Is Watkins Glen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watkins Glen has lower expected damage per building than 77% 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 Watkins Glen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Watkins Glen since 1993, $53K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Watkins Glen 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 Schuyler County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Watkins Glen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watkins Glen’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 Watkins Glen?
By FEMA money that reached Watkins Glen, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): 9 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $71K to the Village of Watkins Glen for repairs.
Is Watkins Glen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Watkins Glen’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watkins Glen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watkins Glen’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.