Photo: DanielPenfield · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Greece, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greece gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #10 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 101 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 Greece’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greece 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 Greece’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greece, and Greece’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #10 of 758 in New York; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greece’s residents live in 23 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, Greece has less expected damage per building than 99% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.8M a year in losses across Greece: $7.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greece flood? Yes: 101 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greece, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $235K
- The Blizzard of 19932 claims · $5K
Greece is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greece
Disasters that paid out in Greece itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Greece), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding$53K to the Town of Greece for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$26K to the Town of Greece for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm8 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$849K to the Town of Greece for repairs
- 1999Snow$49K to the Town of Greece for repairs
Monroe County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Greece after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greece archive →Greece and its neighbors
Greece has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Parma | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Gates | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Rochester | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| North Gates | — | 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 Greece 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.
- Greece residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Greece
Is Greece at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greece has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #10 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greece flood?
Flood insurance has paid 101 claims in Greece since 1978, $870K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (3).
Is Greece 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 Monroe County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greece?
Greece is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Greece?
By FEMA money that reached Greece, Ice Storm (2003): 8 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $849K to the Town of Greece for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 3 paid, $235K.
Is Greece at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Greece’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greece.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greece’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.