Photo: Pubdog at en.wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Fredonia’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredonia gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #332 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 78 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Fredonia’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Fredonia 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 Fredonia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fredonia, and Fredonia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #332 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fredonia’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, Fredonia has less expected damage per building than 56% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Fredonia: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fredonia flood? Sometimes: 78 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fredonia, from FEMA’s records: 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fredonia 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fredonia
Disasters that paid out in Fredonia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Fredonia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$21K to the Village of Fredonia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$922 aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$121K to the Village of Fredonia for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Village of Fredonia for repairs
- 2001Snow$23K to the Village of Fredonia for repairs
- 2000Snow$8K to the Village of Fredonia for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$12K to the Village of Fredonia 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 Fredonia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fredonia archive →Fredonia and its neighbors
Fredonia is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pomfret | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Fredonia | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 78 |
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 Fredonia 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 Fredonia
Is Fredonia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredonia has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #332 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.
Does Fredonia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 78 claims in Fredonia since 1978, $767K in all, or 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Fredonia 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 Fredonia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fredonia’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 Fredonia?
By FEMA money that reached Fredonia, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): $121K to the Village of Fredonia for repairs.
Is Fredonia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Fredonia’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fredonia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fredonia’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.