Worcester Historic District · Photo: Doug Kerr from Upstate New York · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Worcester faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worcester gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2006.
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 Worcester 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 Worcester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Worcester, and Worcester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Worcester’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Worcester: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Worcester flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Worcester, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $10K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $29K
Worcester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Otsego County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Worcester
Disasters that paid out in Worcester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Worcester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Worcester for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee8 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$87K to the Town of Worcester for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 2011Hurricane Irene10 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the Town of Worcester for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$138K to the Town of Worcester for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$26K to the Town of Worcester for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Ice Storm$6K to the Town of Worcester for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$19K to the Town of Worcester for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Worcester for repairs
Otsego County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, 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 Worcester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Worcester archive →Worcester and its neighbors
Worcester is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harpersfield | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Summit | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Richmondville | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Maryland | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Worcester | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Decatur | — | 328 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Westford | — | 862 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Worcester 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 Worcester
Is Worcester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Worcester has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Worcester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Worcester since 2006, $50K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (2).
Is Worcester 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 Otsego County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Worcester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Worcester’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 Worcester?
By FEMA money that reached Worcester, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 37 households applied for aid, $58K approved, and $138K to the Town of Worcester for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Worcester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Worcester’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Worcester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Worcester’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.