Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lockport than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lockport gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #87 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Lockport 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 Lockport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lockport, and Lockport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
A #87 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lockport’s residents live in 6 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, Lockport has less expected damage per building than 89% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Lockport: $2.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lockport flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lockport, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lockport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Niagara County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lockport
Disasters that paid out in Lockport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lockport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$93K to the City of Lockport for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$260K to the City of Lockport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$82K to the City of Lockport for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding143 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$152K to the City of Lockport for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$2K to the City of Lockport for repairs
- 2001Snow$62K to the City of Lockport for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$22K to the City of Lockport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Snow$56K to the City of Lockport for repairs
Niagara 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 Lockport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lockport archive →Lockport and its neighbors
Lockport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockport | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| South Lockport | — | 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 Lockport 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 Lockport
Is Lockport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lockport has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #87 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lockport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Lockport since 1979, $94K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lockport 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 Niagara County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lockport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lockport’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 Lockport?
By FEMA money that reached Lockport, Severe Storms and Flooding (2013): $260K to the City of Lockport for repairs.
Is Lockport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Lockport’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lockport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lockport’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.