Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Alfred than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alfred gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #616 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Alfred 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 Alfred’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alfred, and Alfred’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C #616 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Alfred’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, Alfred has more expected damage per building than 81% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Alfred: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alfred flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alfred, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Alfred isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegany County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Alfred
Disasters that paid out in Alfred itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Alfred), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$39K to the Village of Alfred for repairs
Allegany County has had 19 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; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Alfred after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alfred archive →Get ready for what Alfred 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 Alfred
Is Alfred at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alfred has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #616 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Alfred flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Alfred since 1979, $551 in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Alfred 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 Allegany County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Alfred?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alfred’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 Alfred?
By FEMA money that reached Alfred, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $39K to the Village of Alfred for repairs.
Is Alfred at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Alfred’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alfred.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alfred’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.