Photo: Unknown artistUnknown artist · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Bolivar faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bolivar gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Bolivar 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 Bolivar’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bolivar, and Bolivar’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bolivar’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $391K a year in losses across Bolivar: $335K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bolivar flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bolivar, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bolivar 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bolivar
Disasters that paid out in Bolivar itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bolivar), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes11 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
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 Bolivar after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bolivar archive →Get ready for what Bolivar 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 Bolivar
Is Bolivar at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bolivar has higher expected damage per building than 81% 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 Bolivar flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Bolivar since 2021, $20K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bolivar 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 Bolivar?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bolivar’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 Bolivar?
By FEMA money that reached Bolivar, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): 11 households applied for aid, $6K approved.
Is Bolivar at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Bolivar’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bolivar.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bolivar’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.