Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Kenmore than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenmore gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #265 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
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 Kenmore 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 Kenmore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kenmore, and Kenmore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #265 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kenmore’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, Kenmore has less expected damage per building than 65% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Kenmore: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kenmore flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kenmore, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Kenmore 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kenmore
Disasters that paid out in Kenmore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Kenmore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$96K to the Village of Kenmore for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$27K to the Village of Kenmore for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding415 households applied for aid$175K aid approved$395K to the Village of Kenmore for repairs
- 2001Snow$41K to the Village of Kenmore for repairs
- 2000Snow$18K to the Village of Kenmore for repairs
- 1999Snow$18K to the Village of Kenmore 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 Kenmore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kenmore archive →Kenmore and its neighbors
Kenmore has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenmore | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Tonawanda Town | — | 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 Kenmore 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 Kenmore
Is Kenmore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenmore has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #265 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 Kenmore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Kenmore since 1979, $2K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kenmore 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 Kenmore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kenmore’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 Kenmore?
By FEMA money that reached Kenmore, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 415 households applied for aid, $175K approved, and $395K to the Village of Kenmore for repairs.
Is Kenmore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Kenmore’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kenmore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kenmore’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.