FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hanover as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanover gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #486 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 1,166 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 Hanover’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hanover 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 Hanover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hanover, and Hanover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
B #486 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hanover’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, Hanover has more expected damage per building than 64% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Hanover: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hanover flood? Yes: 1,166 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hanover, from FEMA’s records: 323.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms10 claims · $99K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $33K
Hanover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chautauqua County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hanover
Disasters that paid out in Hanover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hanover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$73K to the Town of Hanover for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$456K to the Town of Hanover for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Hanover for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$370K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$26K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
- 2001Snow$19K to the Town of Hanover for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$6K to the Town of Hanover for repairs
Chautauqua County has had 18 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 Hanover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hanover archive →Hanover and its neighbors
Hanover is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheridan | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Silver Creek | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Hanover | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1,166 |
| Villenova | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Perrysburg | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Sunset Bay | — | 384 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Arkwright | — | 859 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hanover 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 Hanover
Is Hanover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hanover has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #486 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 Hanover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,166 claims in Hanover since 1978, $5.8M in all, or 323.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 176 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (10).
Is Hanover 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 Chautauqua County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hanover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hanover’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 Hanover?
By FEMA money that reached Hanover, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): $456K to the Town of Hanover for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 10 paid, $99K.
Is Hanover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Hanover’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hanover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hanover’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.