Clifton Springs Sanitarium Historic District · Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Manchester than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #400 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1984.
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 Manchester 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 Manchester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manchester, and Manchester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #400 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manchester’s residents live in 3 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, Manchester has more expected damage per building than 53% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Manchester: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manchester flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manchester, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Manchester isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ontario County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manchester
Disasters that paid out in Manchester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Manchester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2003Ice Storm$45K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
- 1999Snow$7K to the Town of Manchester for repairs
Ontario County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Manchester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manchester archive →Manchester and its neighbors
Manchester is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopewell | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Macedon | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Arcadia | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Farmington | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Palmyra | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Manchester | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Manchester 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 Manchester
Is Manchester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manchester has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #400 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manchester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Manchester since 1984, $4K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Manchester 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 Ontario County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Manchester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manchester’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 Manchester?
By FEMA money that reached Manchester, Ice Storm (2003): $45K to the Town of Manchester for repairs.
Is Manchester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Manchester’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manchester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manchester’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.