Photo: Patrick Ashley · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Rochester than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochester gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #432 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Rochester’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rochester 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 Rochester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rochester, and Rochester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
B #432 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rochester’s residents live in 85 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, Rochester has more expected damage per building than 57% of New York towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Rochester has lower expected damage per building than 75% (#102 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $43.4M, is the 275th largest of those 400.
Does Rochester flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rochester, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $6K
Rochester 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rochester
Disasters that paid out in Rochester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rochester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding$5K to the City of Rochester for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding7,252 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$3K to the City of Rochester for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm16,369 households applied for aid$22.7M aid approved$316K to the City of Rochester for repairs
- 1999Snow$492K to the City of Rochester 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 Rochester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rochester archive →Rochester and its neighbors
Rochester is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Gates | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Chili | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Brighton | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Irondequoit | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Rochester | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| North Gates | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Is Rochester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rochester has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #432 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 Rochester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Rochester since 1978, $77K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late summer storms (1).
Is Rochester 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 Rochester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rochester’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 Rochester?
By FEMA money that reached Rochester, Ice Storm (2003): 16,369 households applied for aid, $22.7M approved, and $316K to the City of Rochester for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Rochester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Rochester’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rochester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rochester’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.