Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Utica faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Utica gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims 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 Utica 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
Hail
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 Utica’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Utica, and Utica’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
B− lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Utica’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $627K a year in losses across Utica: $539K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Utica flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Utica, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Utica isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Licking County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Utica
Disasters that paid out in Utica itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Utica), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$10K to the Village of Utica for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$24K to the Village of Utica for repairs
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides30 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$38K to the Village of Utica for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$558 aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$2K to the Village of Utica for repairs
Licking County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Utica after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Utica archive →Get ready for what Utica 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Utica
Is Utica at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Utica has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hail (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Utica flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Utica since 1979, $17K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Utica 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 Licking County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Utica?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Utica’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 Utica?
By FEMA money that reached Utica, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 30 households applied for aid, $16K approved, and $38K to the Village of Utica for repairs.
Is Utica at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Utica’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Utica.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Utica’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.