Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Colden faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colden gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #627 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Colden 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 Colden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colden, and Colden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C #627 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Colden’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, Colden has more expected damage per building than 83% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Colden: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colden flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Colden, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $1K
Colden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Erie County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Colden
Disasters that paid out in Colden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Colden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Colden for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$651 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$82K to the Town of Colden for repairs
- 2001Snow$14K to the Town of Colden for repairs
- 2000Snow$6K to the Town of Colden for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$78K to the Town of Colden for repairs
- 1999Snow$4K to the Town of Colden for repairs
Erie 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 Colden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colden archive →Colden and its neighbors
Colden is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Sardinia | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Aurora | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Holland | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Boston | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Colden | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Colden 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 Colden
Is Colden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colden has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #627 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). 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 Colden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Colden since 1979, $7K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Colden 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 Erie County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Colden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colden’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 Colden?
By FEMA money that reached Colden, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $82K to the Town of Colden for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Colden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Colden’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colden’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.