More hazard damage per building is expected in Andover than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andover gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2003.
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 Andover 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 Andover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Andover, and Andover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Andover’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Andover: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Andover flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Andover, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Andover 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Andover
Disasters that paid out in Andover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Andover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$106K to the Town of Andover for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$505K to the Town of Andover for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Town of Andover for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$97K to the Town of Andover for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$185K to the Town of Andover for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to the Town of Andover 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 Andover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Andover archive →Andover and its neighbors
Andover is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Andover | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Scio | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Wellsville | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Independence | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Greenwood | — | 699 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ward | — | 384 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Andover 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 Andover
Is Andover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Andover has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Andover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Andover since 2003, $5K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Andover 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 Andover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Andover’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 Andover?
By FEMA money that reached Andover, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $505K to the Town of Andover for repairs.
Is Andover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Andover’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Andover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Andover’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.