Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Albion than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albion gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #38 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1989.
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 Albion 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 Albion’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Albion, and Albion’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #38 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Albion’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, Albion has less expected damage per building than 95% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $772K a year in losses across Albion: $625K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Albion flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Albion, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Albion isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orleans County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Albion
Disasters that paid out in Albion itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Albion), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Village of Albion for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding94 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$85K to the Village of Albion for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$14K to the Village of Albion for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Village of Albion for repairs
- 1999Snow$8K to the Village of Albion for repairs
- 1999Snow$13K to the Village of Albion for repairs
Orleans County has had 18 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 Albion after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Albion archive →Get ready for what Albion 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 Albion
Is Albion at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albion has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #38 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Albion flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Albion since 1989, $2K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Albion 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 Orleans County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Albion?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Albion’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 Albion?
By FEMA money that reached Albion, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 94 households applied for aid, $31K approved, and $85K to the Village of Albion for repairs.
Is Albion at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Albion’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Albion.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Albion’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.