Photo: Mitchazenia · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Alden than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alden gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #268 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Alden 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 Alden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alden, and Alden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #268 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Alden’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alden has less expected damage per building than 65% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $708K a year in losses across Alden: $496K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alden flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alden, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alden 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 Alden
Disasters that paid out in Alden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Alden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Village of Alden for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$80K to the Village of Alden for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding268 households applied for aid$153K aid approved$89K to the Village of Alden for repairs
- 2001Snow$4K to the Village of Alden for repairs
- 2000Snow$1K to the Village of Alden for repairs
- 1999Snow$2K to the Village of Alden 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 Alden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alden archive →Get ready for what Alden 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 Alden
Is Alden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alden has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #268 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 Alden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Alden since 1979, $4K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alden 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 Alden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alden’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 Alden?
By FEMA money that reached Alden, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 268 households applied for aid, $153K approved, and $89K to the Village of Alden for repairs.
Is Alden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Alden’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alden’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.