Photo: Adam Moss · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Hinsdale faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hinsdale gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1996.
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 Hinsdale 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 Hinsdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hinsdale, and Hinsdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hinsdale’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $858K a year in losses across Hinsdale: $740K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hinsdale flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hinsdale, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hinsdale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cattaraugus County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hinsdale
Disasters that paid out in Hinsdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hinsdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$23K to the Town of Hinsdale for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the Town of Hinsdale for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes33 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$189K to the Town of Hinsdale for repairs
- 2001Snow$6K to the Town of Hinsdale for repairs
- 2000Snow$10K to the Town of Hinsdale for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the Town of Hinsdale for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$6K to the Town of Hinsdale for repairs
Cattaraugus 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 Hinsdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hinsdale archive →Hinsdale and its neighbors
Hinsdale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portville | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Olean | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Hinsdale | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Cuba | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ischua | — | 751 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Clarksville | — | not graded yet | |
| Humphrey | — | 758 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 Hinsdale 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 Hinsdale
Is Hinsdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hinsdale has higher expected damage per building than 68% 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 Hinsdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hinsdale since 1996, $10K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hinsdale 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 Cattaraugus County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hinsdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hinsdale’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 Hinsdale?
By FEMA money that reached Hinsdale, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): 33 households applied for aid, $41K approved, and $189K to the Town of Hinsdale for repairs.
Is Hinsdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Hinsdale’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hinsdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hinsdale’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.