Fredonia Commons Historic District · Photo: Generic1139 · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Pomfret’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, Pomfret gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #299 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1981.
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 Pomfret 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 Pomfret’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pomfret, and Pomfret’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #299 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pomfret’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, Pomfret has less expected damage per building than 61% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Pomfret: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pomfret flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pomfret, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pomfret 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pomfret
Disasters that paid out in Pomfret itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pomfret), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$11K to the Town of Pomfret for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the Town of Pomfret for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the Town of Pomfret for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the Town of Pomfret for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$36K to the Town of Pomfret for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Snow$14K to the Town of Pomfret for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$6K to the Town of Pomfret for repairs
- 1999Snow$6K to the Town of Pomfret 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 Pomfret after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pomfret archive →Pomfret and its neighbors
Pomfret is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkirk | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sheridan | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Pomfret | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Portland | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Fredonia | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 78 |
| Stockton | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Arkwright | — | 859 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 Pomfret 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 Pomfret
Is Pomfret at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pomfret has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #299 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 Pomfret flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Pomfret since 1981, $91K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pomfret 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 Pomfret?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pomfret’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 Pomfret?
By FEMA money that reached Pomfret, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $36K to the Town of Pomfret for repairs.
Is Pomfret at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Pomfret’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pomfret.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pomfret’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.