On FEMA’s figures, Richmond faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #270 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 72 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Richmond’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Richmond 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 Richmond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richmond, and Richmond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #270 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richmond’s residents live in 2 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, Richmond has less expected damage per building than 64% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $941K a year in losses across Richmond: $778K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richmond flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richmond, from FEMA’s records: 35.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy11 claims · $1.7M
- The December Storm - nor’easter3 claims · $7K
Richmond isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ontario County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richmond
Disasters that paid out in Richmond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Richmond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$78K to the Town of Richmond for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$167K to the Town of Richmond for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$49K to the Town of Richmond for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$34K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$19K to the Town of Richmond for repairs
- 1999Snow$16K to the Town of Richmond for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Ontario County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Richmond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richmond archive →Richmond and its neighbors
Richmond 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Bloomfield | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Bristol | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Canadice | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Richmond | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| South Bristol | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Livonia | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Is Richmond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #270 of 758 in New York. 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 Richmond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in Richmond since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 35.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (11).
Is Richmond 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 Ontario County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Richmond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richmond’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 Richmond?
By FEMA money that reached Richmond, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $167K to the Town of Richmond for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 11 paid, $1.7M.
Is Richmond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Richmond’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richmond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richmond’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.