FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Genesee than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Genesee gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Genesee 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 Genesee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Genesee, and Genesee’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 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Genesee’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $687K a year in losses across Genesee: $594K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Genesee flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Genesee, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Genesee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegany County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Genesee
Disasters that paid out in Genesee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Genesee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$237K to the Town of Genesee for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$218K to the Town of Genesee for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Genesee for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$33K to the Town of Genesee for repairs
Allegany County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Genesee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Genesee archive →Genesee and its neighbors
Genesee is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portville | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Bolivar | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Genesee | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Clarksville | — | 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 Genesee 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 Genesee
Is Genesee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Genesee has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Genesee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Genesee since 2021, $20K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Genesee 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 Allegany County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Genesee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Genesee’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 Genesee?
By FEMA money that reached Genesee, Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred (2021): $237K to the Town of Genesee for repairs.
Is Genesee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Genesee’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Genesee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Genesee’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.