Photo: Nandaro · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Niagara Falls’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Niagara Falls gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #414 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 stands out about Niagara Falls’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Niagara Falls, and Niagara Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
B #414 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Niagara Falls’ residents live in 20 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, Niagara Falls has more expected damage per building than 55% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Niagara Falls: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Niagara Falls flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Niagara Falls, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Niagara Falls is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Niagara County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Niagara Falls
Disasters that paid out in Niagara Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Niagara Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the City of Niagara Falls for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$155K to the City of Niagara Falls for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$8K to the City of Niagara Falls for repairs
- 2001Snow$43K to the City of Niagara Falls for repairs
- 1999Snow$51K to the City of Niagara Falls for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 Niagara Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Niagara Falls archive →Niagara Falls and its neighbors
Niagara Falls is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Grand Island | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Niagara | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Niagara Falls | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Wheatfield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Niagara Falls 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.
- Niagara Falls residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Niagara Falls
Is Niagara Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Niagara Falls has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #414 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Niagara Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Niagara Falls since 1979, $107K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Niagara Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Niagara Falls, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $155K to the City of Niagara Falls for repairs.
Is Niagara Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Niagara Falls’ rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Niagara Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Niagara Falls’ 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.