Photo: Mitchazenia · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Clarkson than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarkson gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #20 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims 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 Clarkson 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 Clarkson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clarkson, and Clarkson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #20 of 758 in New York; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Clarkson’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, Clarkson has less expected damage per building than 97% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Clarkson: $706K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clarkson flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clarkson, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Clarkson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clarkson
Disasters that paid out in Clarkson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clarkson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm$23K to the Town of Clarkson for repairs
- 1999Snow$5K to the Town of Clarkson for repairs
Monroe 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 Clarkson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clarkson archive →Clarkson and its neighbors
Clarkson is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brockport | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sweden | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Clarkson | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Parma | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Murray | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hamlin | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
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 Clarkson 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 Clarkson
Is Clarkson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clarkson has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #20 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Clarkson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Clarkson since 1978, $10K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (1).
Is Clarkson 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 Monroe County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clarkson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clarkson’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 Clarkson?
By FEMA money that reached Clarkson, Ice Storm (2003): $23K to the Town of Clarkson for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Clarkson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Clarkson’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clarkson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clarkson’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.