More hazard damage per building is expected in Pendleton than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pendleton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #713 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1989.
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 Pendleton 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 Pendleton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pendleton, and Pendleton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #713 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pendleton’s 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, Pendleton has more expected damage per building than 94% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Pendleton: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pendleton flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pendleton, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $88K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $11K
Pendleton 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pendleton
Disasters that paid out in Pendleton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pendleton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the Town of Pendleton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$4K to the Town of Pendleton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$50K to the Town of Pendleton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$31K to the Town of Pendleton for repairs
- 2001Snow$8K to the Town of Pendleton for repairs
- 1999Snow$5K to the Town of Pendleton 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 Pendleton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pendleton archive →Pendleton and its neighbors
Pendleton is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 263 |
| Wheatfield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Pendleton | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Lockport | — | not graded yet | |
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 Pendleton 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 Pendleton
Is Pendleton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pendleton has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #713 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). 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 Pendleton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Pendleton since 1989, $115K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Pendleton 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 Pendleton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pendleton’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 Pendleton?
By FEMA money that reached Pendleton, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2022): $50K to the Town of Pendleton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $88K.
Is Pendleton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Pendleton’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pendleton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pendleton’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.