East Main-Mechanic Streets Historic District · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainFEMA puts Concord’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Concord gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #295 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1989.
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 Concord 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 Concord’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Concord, and Concord’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #295 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Concord’s residents live in 2 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, Concord has less expected damage per building than 61% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Concord: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Concord flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Concord, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Concord 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Concord
Disasters that paid out in Concord itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Concord), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$40K to the Town of Concord for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$306K to the Town of Concord for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storm$750 to the Town of Concord for repairs
- 2001Snow$35K to the Town of Concord for repairs
- 2000Snow$15K to the Town of Concord for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$91K to the Town of Concord for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$17K to the Town of Concord for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Concord after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Concord archive →Concord and its neighbors
Concord is 2nd of the 7 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 |
| Sardinia | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Collins | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Boston | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Colden | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Ashford | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| 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 Concord 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 Concord
Is Concord at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Concord has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #295 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 Concord flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Concord since 1989, $56K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Concord 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 Concord?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Concord’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 Concord?
By FEMA money that reached Concord, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): $306K to the Town of Concord for repairs.
Is Concord at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Concord’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Concord.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Concord’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.