Gladden Windmill · Photo: Pubdog · Public domainFEMA puts Napoli’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Napoli gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1980.
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 Napoli 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 Napoli’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Napoli, and Napoli’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Napoli’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $588K a year in losses across Napoli: $521K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Napoli flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Napoli, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Napoli 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Napoli
Disasters that paid out in Napoli itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Napoli), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$195K to the Town of Napoli for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the Town of Napoli for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$13K to the Town of Napoli for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Napoli for repairs
- 2000Snow$4K to the Town of Napoli for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the Town of Napoli for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$3K to the Town of Napoli 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 Napoli after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Napoli archive →Napoli and its neighbors
Napoli is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Albion | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Conewango | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Napoli | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Little Valley | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Coldspring | — | 616 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 Napoli 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 Napoli
Is Napoli at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Napoli has higher expected damage per building than 75% 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.
Does Napoli flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Napoli since 1980, $44K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Napoli 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 Napoli?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Napoli’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 Napoli?
By FEMA money that reached Napoli, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $195K to the Town of Napoli for repairs.
Is Napoli at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Napoli’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Napoli.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Napoli’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.