Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Allen
Allen isn’t graded for hazard risk: Allen has 405 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
What Allen 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.
Does Allen flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Allen, from FEMA’s records.
Allen 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Allen
Disasters that paid out in Allen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Allen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$164K to the Town of Allen for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$61K to the Town of Allen for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$49K to the Town of Allen for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$40K to the Town of Allen 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 Allen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Allen archive →Allen and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Allen 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 Allen
Does Allen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Allen since 2015, $15K in all.
Is Allen 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 Allen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Allen’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 Allen?
By FEMA money that reached Allen, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $164K to the Town of Allen for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Allen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Allen’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.