On FEMA’s figures, Potter faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Potter gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2014.
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 Potter 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 Potter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Potter, and Potter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Potter’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $681K a year in losses across Potter: $546K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Potter flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Potter, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Potter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Yates County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Potter
Disasters that paid out in Potter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Potter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$64K to the Town of Potter for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Yates County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 Potter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Potter archive →Potter and its neighbors
Potter is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorham | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Benton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Potter | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Middlesex | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Jerusalem | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
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 Potter 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 Potter
Is Potter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Potter has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Potter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Potter since 2014, $958 in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Potter 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 Yates County, 1.5% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Potter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Potter’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 Potter?
By FEMA money that reached Potter, Severe Storms and Flooding (2014): $64K to the Town of Potter for repairs.
Is Potter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Potter’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Potter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Potter’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.