Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Eden’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eden gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #119 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2003.
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 Eden 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 Eden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eden, and Eden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
A #119 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eden’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, Eden has less expected damage per building than 84% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Eden: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eden flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eden, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms2 claims · $19K
Eden 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eden
Disasters that paid out in Eden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Eden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Town of Eden for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$108K to the Town of Eden for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$115K aid approved$682K to the Town of Eden for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$8K to the Town of Eden for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Eden for repairs
- 2001Snow$37K to the Town of Eden for repairs
Show all 9
- 2000Snow$11K to the Town of Eden for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$24K to the Town of Eden for repairs
- 1999Snow$17K to the Town of Eden 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 Eden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eden archive →Eden and its neighbors
Eden 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 |
| Brant | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Eden | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Evans | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Hamburg | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 173 |
| Boston | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Eden 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 Eden
Is Eden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eden has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #119 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Eden since 2003, $35K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (2).
Is Eden 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 Eden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eden’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 Eden?
By FEMA money that reached Eden, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 41 households applied for aid, $115K approved, and $682K to the Town of Eden for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Eden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Eden’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eden’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.