Photo: RochesterNY · Public domainFEMA puts Geneva’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Geneva gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #307 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1993.
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 Geneva 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 Geneva’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Geneva, and Geneva’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #307 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Geneva’s residents live in 3 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, Geneva has less expected damage per building than 60% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Geneva: $911K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Geneva flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Geneva, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Geneva 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Geneva
Disasters that paid out in Geneva itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Geneva), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm$18K to the Town of Geneva for repairs
- 1999Snow$5K to the Town of Geneva 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 Geneva after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Geneva archive →Geneva and its neighbors
Geneva is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phelps | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Geneva | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Seneca | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Varick | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Geneva | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Benton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Fayette | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Geneva 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 Geneva
Is Geneva at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Geneva has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #307 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Geneva flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Geneva since 1993, $146K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Geneva 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 Geneva?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Geneva’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 Geneva?
By FEMA money that reached Geneva, Ice Storm (2003): $18K to the Town of Geneva for repairs.
Is Geneva at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Geneva’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Geneva.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Geneva’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.