Grenadier Island Schoolhouse · Photo: Grenadier1812 · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cape Vincent than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cape Vincent gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1979.
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 Cape Vincent 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 Cape Vincent’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cape Vincent, and Cape Vincent’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cape Vincent’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $911K a year in losses across Cape Vincent: $813K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cape Vincent flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cape Vincent, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cape Vincent 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cape Vincent
Disasters that paid out in Cape Vincent itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cape Vincent), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$125K to the Town of Cape Vincent for repairs
- 2017Flooding$17K to the Town of Cape Vincent for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$9K to the Town of Cape Vincent for repairs
- 1999Snow$6K to the Town of Cape Vincent 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 Cape Vincent after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cape Vincent archive →Cape Vincent and its neighbors
Cape Vincent is 2nd 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 Cape Vincent 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 Cape Vincent
Is Cape Vincent at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cape Vincent has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cape Vincent flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Cape Vincent since 1979, $692 in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cape Vincent 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 Cape Vincent?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cape Vincent’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 Cape Vincent?
By FEMA money that reached Cape Vincent, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $125K to the Town of Cape Vincent for repairs.
Is Cape Vincent at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Cape Vincent’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cape Vincent.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cape Vincent’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.