First Methodist Episcopal Church of Walworth · Photo: DanielPenfield · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Farmington than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #199 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Farmington 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 Farmington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farmington, and Farmington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
A #199 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farmington’s residents live in 4 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, Farmington has less expected damage per building than 74% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Farmington: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farmington flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Farmington. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Farmington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ontario County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Farmington
Disasters that paid out in Farmington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Farmington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$2K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm41 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$80K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
- 1999Snow$11K to the Town of Farmington for repairs
Ontario County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Farmington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farmington archive →Farmington and its neighbors
Farmington is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macedon | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Farmington | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Victor | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Manchester | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Canandaigua | — | not graded yet | |
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 Farmington 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 Farmington
Is Farmington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmington has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #199 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Farmington 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 Ontario County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Farmington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Farmington’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 Farmington?
By FEMA money that reached Farmington, Ice Storm (2003): 41 households applied for aid, $28K approved, and $80K to the Town of Farmington for repairs.
Is Farmington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Farmington’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farmington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farmington’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.