More hazard damage per building is expected in North Harmony than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Harmony gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 North Harmony 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 Harmony’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Harmony, and North Harmony’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Harmony’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across North Harmony: $919K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Harmony flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Harmony, from FEMA’s records: 15.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Harmony isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chautauqua County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Harmony
Disasters that paid out in North Harmony itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Harmony), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$52K to the Town of North Harmony for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of North Harmony for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the Town of North Harmony for repairs
- 2001Snow$11K to the Town of North Harmony for repairs
- 2000Snow$7K to the Town of North Harmony for repairs
- 1999Snow$4K to the Town of North Harmony for repairs
Chautauqua 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 North Harmony after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Harmony archive →North Harmony and its neighbors
North Harmony is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherman | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Busti | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Chautauqua | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Harmony | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| North Harmony | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Panama | — | 451 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 North Harmony 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 Harmony
Is North Harmony at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Harmony has higher expected damage per building than 72% 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 North Harmony flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in North Harmony since 1979, $96K in all, or 15.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is North Harmony 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 Chautauqua County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Harmony?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Harmony’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 North Harmony?
By FEMA money that reached North Harmony, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $52K to the Town of North Harmony for repairs.
Is North Harmony at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and North Harmony’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Harmony.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Harmony’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.