Photo: Joshua Karn · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, North Tonawanda faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Tonawanda gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #726 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Tonawanda, and North Tonawanda’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #726 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Tonawanda’s residents live in 10 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, North Tonawanda has more expected damage per building than 96% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.4M a year in losses across North Tonawanda: $10.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Tonawanda flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Tonawanda, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Tonawanda isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Niagara County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Tonawanda
Disasters that paid out in North Tonawanda itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Tonawanda), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$107K to the City of North Tonawanda for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$16K to the City of North Tonawanda for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding617 households applied for aid$332K aid approved$2.5M to the City of North Tonawanda for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$4K to the City of North Tonawanda for repairs
- 2001Snow$53K to the City of North Tonawanda for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the City of North Tonawanda for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$46K to the City of North Tonawanda for repairs
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 North Tonawanda after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Tonawanda archive →North Tonawanda and its neighbors
North Tonawanda is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Amherst | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 263 |
| Tonawanda | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Tonawanda | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Wheatfield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Tonawanda | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Tonawanda Town | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda
Is North Tonawanda at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Tonawanda has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #726 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Tonawanda flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in North Tonawanda since 1979, $12K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North Tonawanda 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 North Tonawanda?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Tonawanda’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 Tonawanda?
By FEMA money that reached North Tonawanda, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 617 households applied for aid, $332K approved, and $2.5M to the City of North Tonawanda for repairs.
Is North Tonawanda at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and North Tonawanda’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Tonawanda.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Tonawanda’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.