Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Falconer’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falconer gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1979.
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 Falconer 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 Falconer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Falconer, and Falconer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Falconer’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Falconer: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Falconer flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Falconer, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Falconer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chautauqua County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Falconer
Disasters that paid out in Falconer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Falconer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2001Snow$5K to the Village of Falconer for repairs
- 2000Snow$6K to the Village of Falconer for repairs
- 1999Snow$4K to the Village of Falconer for repairs
Chautauqua County has had 18 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 Falconer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Falconer archive →Get ready for what Falconer 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 Falconer
Is Falconer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falconer has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Falconer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Falconer since 1979, $13K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Falconer 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 Chautauqua County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Falconer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Falconer’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 Falconer?
By FEMA money that reached Falconer, Snow (2000): $6K to the Village of Falconer for repairs.
Is Falconer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Falconer’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Falconer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Falconer’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.