Photo: Pubdog · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in East Otto
East Otto isn’t graded for hazard risk: East Otto has 996 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1979.
What East Otto 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.
Does East Otto flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Otto, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late summer storms4 claims · $145K
East Otto isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cattaraugus County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Otto
Disasters that paid out in East Otto itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Otto), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$102K aid approved$242K to the Town of East Otto for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of East Otto for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$56K to the Town of East Otto for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of East Otto for repairs
- 2000Snow$7K to the Town of East Otto for repairs
- 1999Snow$5K to the Town of East Otto for repairs
Cattaraugus 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 Otto after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Otto archive →East Otto and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. 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 |
| Collins | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Ashford | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Ellicottville | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Otto | — | 798 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mansfield | — | 691 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 East Otto 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 Otto
Does East Otto flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in East Otto since 1979, $300K in all. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (4).
Is East Otto 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 Cattaraugus County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in East Otto?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Otto’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 Otto?
By FEMA money that reached East Otto, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 41 households applied for aid, $102K approved, and $242K to the Town of East Otto for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 4 paid, $145K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Otto.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Otto’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.