Less hazard damage per building is expected in Gorham than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gorham gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #393 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Gorham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gorham 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 Gorham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gorham, and Gorham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #393 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gorham’s residents live in 2 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, Gorham has more expected damage per building than 52% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Gorham: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gorham flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gorham, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gorham 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gorham
Disasters that paid out in Gorham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gorham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$453K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$33K to the Town of Gorham for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$32K to the Town of Gorham for repairs
- 1999Snow$11K to the Town of Gorham 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 Gorham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gorham archive →Gorham and its neighbors
Gorham 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Gorham | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Potter | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Middlesex | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| 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 Gorham 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 Gorham
Is Gorham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gorham has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #393 of 758 in New York. 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 Gorham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Gorham since 1978, $262K in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Gorham 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 Gorham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gorham’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 Gorham?
By FEMA money that reached Gorham, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $453K to the Town of Gorham for repairs.
Is Gorham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Gorham’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gorham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gorham’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.