Photo: Pubdog · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Ellicottville
Ellicottville isn’t graded for hazard risk: Ellicottville has 348 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1979.
What Ellicottville 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 Ellicottville flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ellicottville, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late summer storms3 claims · $35K
Ellicottville 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ellicottville
Disasters that paid out in Ellicottville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Ellicottville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$18K to the Village of Ellicottville for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$237 aid approved
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$8K to the Village of Ellicottville for repairs
- 2000Snow$863 to the Village of Ellicottville for repairs
- 1999Snow$2K to the Village of Ellicottville 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 Ellicottville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ellicottville archive →Get ready for what Ellicottville 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 Ellicottville
Does Ellicottville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Ellicottville since 1979, $108K in all. The most claims came from Late summer storms (3).
Is Ellicottville 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 Ellicottville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ellicottville’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 Ellicottville?
By FEMA money that reached Ellicottville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 25 households applied for aid, $21K approved, and $18K to the Village of Ellicottville for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 3 paid, $35K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ellicottville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ellicottville’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.