More hazard damage per building is expected in Hume than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hume gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Hume 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 Hume’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hume, and Hume’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hume’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 Hume: $937K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hume flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hume, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $24K
Hume isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegany County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hume
Disasters that paid out in Hume itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hume), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$18K to the Town of Hume for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$180K to the Town of Hume for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$122K to the Town of Hume for repairs
Allegany County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe 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 Hume after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hume archive →Hume and its neighbors
Hume has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hume | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Caneadea | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Granger | — | 614 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Centerville | — | 700 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Portage | — | 961 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Genesee Falls | — | 400 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Houghton | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Pike | — | 812 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 Hume 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 Hume
Is Hume at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hume has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hume flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Hume since 1996, $119K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Hume 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 Allegany County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hume?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hume’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 Hume?
By FEMA money that reached Hume, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes (2003): $180K to the Town of Hume for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $24K.
Is Hume at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Hume’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hume.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hume’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.