FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Allegany than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allegany gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1993.
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 Allegany 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 Allegany’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Allegany, and Allegany’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Allegany’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $674K a year in losses across Allegany: $581K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Allegany flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Allegany, from FEMA’s records: 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $66K
Allegany isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cattaraugus County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Allegany
Disasters that paid out in Allegany itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Allegany), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2000Snow$3K to the Village of Allegany for repairs
- 1999Snow$2K to the Village of Allegany for repairs
Cattaraugus 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 Allegany after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Allegany archive →Allegany and its neighbors
Allegany has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allegany | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| St. Bonaventure | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Allegany 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 Allegany
Is Allegany at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allegany has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Allegany flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Allegany since 1993, $180K in all, or 20.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Allegany 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 Cattaraugus County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Allegany?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Allegany’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 Allegany?
By FEMA money that reached Allegany, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): 16 households applied for aid, $11K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $66K.
Is Allegany at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Allegany’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Allegany.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Allegany’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.