Photo: Pubdog · Public domainFEMA puts Batavia’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Batavia gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #682 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Batavia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Batavia 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 Batavia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Batavia, and Batavia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #682 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Batavia’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Batavia has more expected damage per building than 90% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Batavia: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Batavia flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Batavia, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $237
Batavia is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Genesee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Batavia
Disasters that paid out in Batavia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Batavia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Genesee County has had 18 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 Batavia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Batavia archive →Get ready for what Batavia 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.
- Batavia residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Batavia
Is Batavia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Batavia has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #682 of 758 in New York. 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 Batavia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Batavia since 1978, $93K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from The "Halloween" Storm (1).
Is Batavia 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 Genesee County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Batavia?
Batavia is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Batavia?
By FEMA money that reached Batavia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 39 households applied for aid, $11K approved. By flood claims, The "Halloween" Storm: 1 paid, $237.
Is Batavia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Batavia’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Batavia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Batavia’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.