Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Akron than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Akron gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #394 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Akron 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 Akron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Akron, and Akron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #394 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Akron’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Akron has more expected damage per building than 52% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $999K a year in losses across Akron: $771K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Akron flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Akron, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Akron isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Erie County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Akron
Disasters that paid out in Akron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Akron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Village of Akron for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding165 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$287K to the Village of Akron for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storm$8K to the Village of Akron for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Village of Akron for repairs
- 2000Snow$3K to the Village of Akron for repairs
- 1999Snow$7K to the Village of Akron for repairs
Erie County has had 20 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 Akron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Akron archive →Get ready for what Akron 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 Akron
Is Akron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Akron has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #394 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Akron flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Akron since 1979, $2K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Akron 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 Erie County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Akron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Akron’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 Akron?
By FEMA money that reached Akron, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 165 households applied for aid, $79K approved, and $287K to the Village of Akron for repairs.
Is Akron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Akron’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Akron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Akron’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.