Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Dundee than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dundee gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Dundee 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 Dundee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dundee, and Dundee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Dundee’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $504K a year in losses across Dundee: $409K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dundee flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dundee, from FEMA’s records: 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Dundee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yates County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dundee
Disasters that paid out in Dundee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Dundee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$57K to the Village of Dundee for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$5K to the Village of Dundee for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes14 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$43K to the Village of Dundee for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$2K to the Village of Dundee for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Village of Dundee for repairs
Yates County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 Dundee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dundee archive →Get ready for what Dundee 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 Dundee
Is Dundee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dundee has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Dundee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Dundee since 1978, $11K in all, or 7.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Dundee 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 Yates County, 1.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Dundee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dundee’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 Dundee?
By FEMA money that reached Dundee, Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred (2021): $57K to the Village of Dundee for repairs.
Is Dundee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Dundee’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dundee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dundee’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.