FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Byron than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byron gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Byron 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 Byron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Byron, and Byron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Byron’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $465K a year in losses across Byron: $303K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Byron flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Byron, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Byron isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Genesee County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Byron
Disasters that paid out in Byron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Byron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$9K to the Town of Byron for repairs
- 2001Snow$6K to the Town of Byron for repairs
- 1999Snow$4K to the Town of Byron for repairs
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 Byron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Byron archive →Byron and its neighbors
Byron is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elba | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bergen | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Byron | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Clarendon | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Stafford | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Byron 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 Byron
Is Byron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byron has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). 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 Byron flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Byron since 1978, $245 in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Byron 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 Byron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Byron’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 Byron?
By FEMA money that reached Byron, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 9 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $9K to the Town of Byron for repairs.
Is Byron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Byron’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Byron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Byron’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.