On FEMA’s figures, Lakewood faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #527 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakewood, and Lakewood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #527 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lakewood’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Lakewood has more expected damage per building than 69% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Lakewood: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lakewood flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakewood, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lakewood 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lakewood
Disasters that paid out in Lakewood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lakewood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$834 aid approved$10K to the Village of Lakewood for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Village of Lakewood for repairs
- 2001Snow$5K to the Village of Lakewood for repairs
- 2000Snow$3K to the Village of Lakewood for repairs
- 1999Snow$3K to the Village of Lakewood 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 Lakewood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakewood archive →Lakewood and its neighbors
Lakewood is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Busti | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Lakewood | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Ellicott | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Jamestown West | — | 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Is Lakewood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakewood has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #527 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakewood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Lakewood since 1979, $23K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lakewood 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 Lakewood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lakewood’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 Lakewood?
By FEMA money that reached Lakewood, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 5 households applied for aid, $834 approved, and $10K to the Village of Lakewood for repairs.
Is Lakewood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Lakewood’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakewood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakewood’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.