FEMA puts Burns’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burns gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Burns 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 Burns’ grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burns, and Burns’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Burns’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $623K a year in losses across Burns: $556K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burns flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burns, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Burns 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burns
Disasters that paid out in Burns itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Burns), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the Town of Burns for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$20K to the Town of Burns for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Town of Burns 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 Burns after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burns archive →Burns and its neighbors
Burns is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dansville | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hornellsville | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Almond | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Burns | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Ossian | — | 689 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Grove | — | 539 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Birdsall | — | 149 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 Burns 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 Burns
Is Burns at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burns has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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.
Does Burns flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Burns since 1996, $11K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Burns 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 Burns?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burns’ 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 Burns?
By FEMA money that reached Burns, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $27K to the Town of Burns for repairs.
Is Burns at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Burns’ rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burns.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burns’ 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.