Photo: DanielPenfield · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Pittsford than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsford gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #241 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1991.
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 Pittsford 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 Pittsford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pittsford, and Pittsford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #241 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pittsford’s residents live in 7 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, Pittsford has less expected damage per building than 68% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Pittsford: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pittsford flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pittsford, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pittsford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pittsford
Disasters that paid out in Pittsford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pittsford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Town of Pittsford for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$445K to the Town of Pittsford for repairs
- 1999Snow$38K to the Town of Pittsford for repairs
Monroe County has had 15 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 Pittsford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pittsford archive →Pittsford and its neighbors
Pittsford is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Rochester | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Perinton | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Henrietta | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Pittsford | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Brighton | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Mendon | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Pittsford 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 Pittsford
Is Pittsford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsford has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #241 of 758 in New York. 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 Pittsford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Pittsford since 1991, $119K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Pittsford 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 Monroe County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pittsford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pittsford’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 Pittsford?
By FEMA money that reached Pittsford, Ice Storm (2003): $445K to the Town of Pittsford for repairs.
Is Pittsford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Pittsford’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pittsford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pittsford’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.