Photo: Aidanmcl · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, East Aurora faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Aurora gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #325 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 31 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 stands out about East Aurora’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Aurora 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 East Aurora’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Aurora, and East Aurora’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #325 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Aurora’s 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, East Aurora has less expected damage per building than 57% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across East Aurora: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Aurora flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Aurora, from FEMA’s records: 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $548
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $26K
East Aurora 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 East Aurora
Disasters that paid out in East Aurora itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of East Aurora), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the Village of East Aurora for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$217K to the Village of East Aurora for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding34 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$18K to the Village of East Aurora for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Village of East Aurora for repairs
- 2000Snow$4K to the Village of East Aurora for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$9K to the Village of East Aurora 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 East Aurora after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Aurora archive →East Aurora and its neighbors
East Aurora has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Aurora | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Billington Heights | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 East Aurora 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 East Aurora
Is East Aurora at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Aurora has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #325 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 East Aurora flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in East Aurora since 1978, $311K in all, or 11.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is East Aurora 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 East Aurora?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Aurora’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 East Aurora?
By FEMA money that reached East Aurora, Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding (2014): $217K to the Village of East Aurora for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $548.
Is East Aurora at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and East Aurora’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Aurora.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Aurora’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.