FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Black River than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black River gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Black River 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 Black River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Black River, and Black River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Black River’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $238K a year in losses across Black River: $198K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Black River flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Black River. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Black River isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Black River
Disasters that paid out in Black River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Black River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$3K to the Village of Black River for repairs
- 1999Snow$2K to the Village of Black River for repairs
Jefferson County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Black River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Black River archive →Black River and its neighbors
Black River is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 Black River 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 Black River
Is Black River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black River has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Black River 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Black River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Black River’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 Black River?
By FEMA money that reached Black River, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2014): $3K to the Village of Black River for repairs.
Is Black River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Black River’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Black River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Black River’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.