Photo: Lvklock · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Ontario’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ontario gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #304 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.
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 Ontario 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 Ontario’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ontario, and Ontario’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #304 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ontario’s residents live in 4 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, Ontario has less expected damage per building than 60% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Ontario: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ontario flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ontario, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Ontario isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ontario
Disasters that paid out in Ontario itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ontario), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding$441K to the Town of Ontario for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$196 aid approved
- 2003Ice Storm148 households applied for aid$101K aid approved$68K to the Town of Ontario for repairs
- 1999Snow$14K to the Town of Ontario for repairs
Wayne County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Ontario after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ontario archive →Ontario and its neighbors
Ontario is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webster | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Walworth | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Williamson | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Ontario | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Ontario 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 Ontario
Is Ontario at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ontario has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #304 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ontario flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Ontario since 2006, $20K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Ontario 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 Wayne County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ontario?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ontario’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 Ontario?
By FEMA money that reached Ontario, Flooding (2017): $441K to the Town of Ontario for repairs.
Is Ontario at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Ontario’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ontario.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ontario’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.