Sherburne’s biggest natural hazard is inland flooding
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Sherburne comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1996. 10 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
What stands out about Sherburne’s weather risks
Read from FEMA’s records below. The page puts what stands out first.
How exposed is Sherburne?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings here to be higher than in 75% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding.
Rated higher than 1,397 of the 1,524 New York towns we cover.
Sherburne covers 1 census tract, combined by population.
What Sherburne faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how it compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Does Sherburne flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sherburne, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $8K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $10K
Sherburne isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chenango County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sherburne
Disasters that paid out in Sherburne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sherburne) and its biggest flood years.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$487K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$150K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-Line Winds$93K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$84K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$59K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
Show all 10
- 2003Ice Storm$8K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$11K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$56K to the Town of Sherburne for repairs
Chenango County has had 25 natural disasters declared since 1953, most often severe storms and floods.
Old photos of Sherburne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sherburne archive →Get ready for what Sherburne actually faces
A short kit for its top hazards, 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.
- Keep a shovel, a blanket and snacks in the car.
- Clear snow from furnace and dryer vents.
- Check on older neighbors when the power goes out.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
Sherburne and its neighbors
Sherburne ranks 4th calmest of 6 towns around it. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Rating | Mostly | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | High | inland flooding | 1 |
| Sherburne | High | inland flooding | 14 |
| North Norwich | High | inland flooding | 3 |
| New Berlin | High | inland flooding | 7 |
| Smyrna | High | inland flooding | 3 |
| Hamilton | Moderate | inland flooding | 2 |
Rating = expected yearly storm and flood damage as a share of what’s there, vs. U.S. communities. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Disasters here can come any time of year
The month each of Chenango County’s 25 declared disasters began, since 1953.
What these numbers can and can’t tell you
- An average, not a forecast. FEMA’s National Risk Index estimates the damage 18 kinds of natural hazards cause in a typical year, from decades of records and models. A quiet decade can follow a bad year.
- Compared by rate. “Higher than N%” compares yearly damage as a share of what’s there, so a big city isn’t rated riskier just for having more buildings.
- Money that reached town. Flood claims are matched to Sherburne’s own flood-insurance community; household aid to the registrant’s city; repair grants to the Town of Sherburne.
- It follows property value. FEMA’s model weighs damage to buildings, so a place that recently lost many homes can rate lower than it feels. Across Sherburne, expected losses total about $1.4M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sherburne.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau. Weather alerts: National Weather Service. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. An average of past damage, not a forecast.