Photo: amandabanana87 · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Grand Island faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Island gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #252 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Grand Island 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 Grand Island’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grand Island, and Grand Island’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #252 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grand Island’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, Grand Island has less expected damage per building than 67% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Grand Island: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grand Island flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grand Island, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Grand Island 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grand Island
Disasters that paid out in Grand Island itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Grand Island), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$127K to the Town of Grand Island for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding125 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$197K to the Town of Grand Island for repairs
- 2001Snow$86K to the Town of Grand Island for repairs
- 2000Snow$18K to the Town of Grand Island for repairs
- 1999Snow$30K to the Town of Grand Island for repairs
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 Grand Island after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grand Island archive →Grand Island and its neighbors
Grand Island has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Niagara Falls | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Tonawanda | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Tonawanda | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Wheatfield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Tonawanda | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Tonawanda Town | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Grandyle Village | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Grand Island 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 Grand Island
Is Grand Island at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grand Island has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #252 of 758 in New York. 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 Grand Island flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Grand Island since 1978, $62K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Grand Island 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 Grand Island?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grand Island’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 Grand Island?
By FEMA money that reached Grand Island, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 125 households applied for aid, $64K approved, and $197K to the Town of Grand Island for repairs.
Is Grand Island at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Grand Island’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grand Island.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grand Island’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.