Epworth Hall · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Castile faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castile gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #298 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Castile 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 Castile’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Castile, and Castile’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #298 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Castile’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Castile has less expected damage per building than 61% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $772K a year in losses across Castile: $622K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Castile flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Castile, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Castile isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wyoming County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Castile
Disasters that paid out in Castile itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Castile), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$30K to the Town of Castile for repairs
- 2001Snow$5K to the Town of Castile for repairs
- 1999Snow$3K to the Town of Castile for repairs
- 1999Snow$1K to the Town of Castile for repairs
Wyoming 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 Castile after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Castile archive →Castile and its neighbors
Castile is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Perry | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Castile | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Gainesville | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Leicester | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Mount Morris | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Warsaw | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Genesee Falls | — | 400 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 Castile 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 Castile
Is Castile at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castile has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #298 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 Castile flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Castile since 2007, $3K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Castile 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 Wyoming County, 0.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Castile?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Castile’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 Castile?
By FEMA money that reached Castile, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): $30K to the Town of Castile for repairs.
Is Castile at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Castile’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Castile.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Castile’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.