Photo: Pubdog · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Gowanda than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gowanda gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 118 claims here since 1979.
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 Gowanda’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gowanda 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 Gowanda’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gowanda, and Gowanda’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gowanda’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Gowanda: $945K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gowanda flood? Yes: 118 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gowanda, from FEMA’s records: 92.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms70 claims · $2.0M
Gowanda isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Erie County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Gowanda
Disasters that paid out in Gowanda itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Gowanda), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding416 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved70 flood claims paid that year
Erie 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 Gowanda after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gowanda archive →Gowanda and its neighbors
Gowanda is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collins | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Persia | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gowanda | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 118 |
| Perrysburg | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Gowanda 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 Gowanda
Is Gowanda at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gowanda has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gowanda flood?
Flood insurance has paid 118 claims in Gowanda since 1979, $2.3M in all, or 92.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (70).
Is Gowanda 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 Erie County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gowanda?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gowanda’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 Gowanda?
By FEMA money that reached Gowanda, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 416 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 70 paid, $2.0M.
Is Gowanda at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Gowanda’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gowanda.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gowanda’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.