FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Collins than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Collins gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #381 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1981.
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 Collins 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 Collins’ grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Collins, and Collins’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #381 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Collins’ residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Collins has more expected damage per building than 50% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Collins: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Collins flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Collins, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $73K
Collins 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Collins
Disasters that paid out in Collins itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Collins), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$62K to the Town of Collins for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storm$750 to the Town of Collins for repairs
- 2001Snow$17K to the Town of Collins for repairs
- 2000Snow$8K to the Town of Collins for repairs
- 1999Snow$7K to the Town of Collins 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 Collins after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Collins archive →Collins and its neighbors
Collins 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Collins | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Concord | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Collins | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Persia | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gowanda | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 118 |
| Perrysburg | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Otto | — | 798 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| East Otto | — | 996 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 Collins 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 Collins
Is Collins at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Collins has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #381 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Collins flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Collins since 1981, $75K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Collins 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 Collins?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Collins’ 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 Collins?
By FEMA money that reached Collins, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 15 households applied for aid, $38K approved, and $62K to the Town of Collins for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $73K.
Is Collins at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Collins’ rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Collins.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Collins’ 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.