FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Franklinville than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklinville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2009.
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 Franklinville 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 Franklinville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Franklinville, and Franklinville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Franklinville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $863K a year in losses across Franklinville: $772K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Franklinville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Franklinville, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $7K
Franklinville 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Franklinville
Disasters that paid out in Franklinville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Franklinville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$78K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Franklinville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Franklinville archive →Get ready for what Franklinville 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 Franklinville
Is Franklinville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Franklinville has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Franklinville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Franklinville since 2009, $7K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Franklinville 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 Franklinville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Franklinville’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 Franklinville?
By FEMA money that reached Franklinville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 42 households applied for aid, $78K approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Franklinville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Franklinville’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Franklinville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Franklinville’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.