Photo: Pooley1999 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Machias faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Machias gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Machias 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 Machias’ grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Machias, and Machias’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Machias’ residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $906K a year in losses across Machias: $790K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Machias flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Machias. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Machias 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Machias
Disasters that paid out in Machias itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Machias), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$136K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2001Snow$12K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 2000Snow$5K to the Town of Machias for repairs
- 1999Snow$7K to the Town of Machias 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 Machias after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Machias archive →Machias and its neighbors
Machias is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yorkshire | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Machias | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Ashford | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Farmersville | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Ellicottville | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Franklinville | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Lime Lake | — | 656 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 Machias 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 Machias
Is Machias at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Machias has higher expected damage per building than 64% 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.
Is Machias 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 Machias?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Machias’ 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 Machias?
By FEMA money that reached Machias, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $136K to the Town of Machias for repairs.
Is Machias at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Machias’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Machias.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Machias’ 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.