Photo: User:TheHappyHermit · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Medina than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medina gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #51 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Medina 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 Medina’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Medina, and Medina’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #51 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Medina’s residents live in 2 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, Medina has less expected damage per building than 93% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $911K a year in losses across Medina: $754K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Medina flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Medina, 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.
Medina isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orleans County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Medina
Disasters that paid out in Medina itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Medina), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Village of Medina for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$46K to the Village of Medina for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$11K to the Village of Medina for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$3K to the Village of Medina for repairs
- 1999Snow$4K to the Village of Medina for repairs
- 1999Snow$3K to the Village of Medina for repairs
Orleans 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 Medina after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Medina archive →Get ready for what Medina 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 Medina
Is Medina at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medina has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #51 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Medina flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Medina since 1979, $2K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Medina 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 Orleans County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Medina?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Medina’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 Medina?
By FEMA money that reached Medina, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 42 households applied for aid, $10K approved, and $46K to the Village of Medina for repairs.
Is Medina at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Medina’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Medina.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Medina’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.