Photo: Adam Moss · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cherry Creek than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cherry Creek gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims 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 Cherry Creek 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 Cherry Creek’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cherry Creek, and Cherry Creek’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cherry Creek’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $411K a year in losses across Cherry Creek: $362K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cherry Creek flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cherry Creek, from FEMA’s records: 32.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Cherry Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chautauqua County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cherry Creek
Disasters that paid out in Cherry Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Cherry Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$17K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs
- 2001Snow$7K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$4K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Snow$2K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs
Chautauqua 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 Cherry Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cherry Creek archive →Cherry Creek and its neighbors
Cherry Creek is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leon | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Villenova | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Charlotte | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Cherry Creek | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Ellington | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Cherry Creek 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 Cherry Creek
Is Cherry Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cherry Creek has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). 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 Cherry Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Cherry Creek since 1979, $60K in all, or 32.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Cherry Creek 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 Chautauqua County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cherry Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cherry Creek’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 Cherry Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Cherry Creek, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $31K to the Town of Cherry Creek for repairs.
Is Cherry Creek at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Cherry Creek’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cherry Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cherry Creek’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.