Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, North Collins faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Collins gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #67 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1981.
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 North Collins 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 North Collins’ grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Collins, and North Collins’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #67 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Collins’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Collins has less expected damage per building than 91% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $877K a year in losses across North Collins: $672K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Collins flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Collins, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Collins isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Erie County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Collins
Disasters that paid out in North Collins itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Collins), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$76K to the Town of North Collins for repairs
- 2001Snow$23K to the Town of North Collins for repairs
- 2000Snow$11K to the Town of North Collins for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of North Collins for repairs
- 1999Snow$8K to the Town of North Collins for repairs
Erie 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 North Collins after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Collins archive →North Collins and its neighbors
North Collins is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Collins | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | — |
| North Collins | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brant | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Eden | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Concord | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Collins | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Boston | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 North Collins 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 North Collins
Is North Collins at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Collins has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #67 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Collins flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in North Collins since 1981, $2K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North Collins 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 Erie County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Collins?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Collins’ 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 North Collins?
By FEMA money that reached North Collins, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): $76K to the Town of North Collins for repairs.
Is North Collins at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and North Collins’ rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Collins.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Collins’ 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.