Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Cattaraugus
Cattaraugus isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Cattaraugus yet. Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1978.
What Cattaraugus 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.
Does Cattaraugus flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cattaraugus, from FEMA’s records.
Cattaraugus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cattaraugus County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cattaraugus
Disasters that paid out in Cattaraugus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cattaraugus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$196K to the Village of Cattaraugus for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$17K to the Village of Cattaraugus for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Village of Cattaraugus for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2001Snow$3K to the Village of Cattaraugus for repairs
- 2000Snow$1K to the Village of Cattaraugus for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$2K to the Village of Cattaraugus for repairs
Cattaraugus County has had 20 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 Cattaraugus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cattaraugus archive →Get ready for what Cattaraugus 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 Cattaraugus
Does Cattaraugus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Cattaraugus since 1978, $32K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Cattaraugus 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 Cattaraugus County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cattaraugus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cattaraugus’ 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 Cattaraugus?
By FEMA money that reached Cattaraugus, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $196K to the Village of Cattaraugus for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cattaraugus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cattaraugus’ 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.