Photo: Doug Kerr from Upstate New York · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Brocton than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brocton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). 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 stands out about Brocton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brocton 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 Brocton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brocton, and Brocton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Brocton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $356K a year in losses across Brocton: $303K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brocton flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Brocton. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Brocton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chautauqua County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brocton
Disasters that paid out in Brocton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Brocton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$147K to the Village of Brocton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Village of Brocton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the Village of Brocton for repairs
- 2001Snow$4K to the Village of Brocton for repairs
- 2000Snow$2K to the Village of Brocton for repairs
- 1999Snow$3K to the Village of Brocton for repairs
Chautauqua 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 Brocton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brocton archive →Get ready for what Brocton 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 Brocton
Is Brocton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brocton has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Brocton 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 Chautauqua County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Brocton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brocton’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 Brocton?
By FEMA money that reached Brocton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2013): $147K to the Village of Brocton for repairs.
Is Brocton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Brocton’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brocton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brocton’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.