More hazard damage per building is expected in Salamanca than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salamanca gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #611 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1996.
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 Salamanca 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 Salamanca’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salamanca, and Salamanca’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #611 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salamanca’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, Salamanca has more expected damage per building than 81% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Salamanca: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salamanca flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salamanca, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Salamanca isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cattaraugus County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salamanca
Disasters that paid out in Salamanca itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salamanca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Salamanca for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$732 aid approved$16K to the City of Salamanca for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the City of Salamanca for repairs
- 2001Snow$7K to the City of Salamanca for repairs
- 2000Snow$5K to the City of Salamanca for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the City of Salamanca for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$4K to the City of Salamanca for repairs
Cattaraugus County has had 20 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 Salamanca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salamanca archive →Salamanca and its neighbors
Salamanca has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salamanca | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Great Valley | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Little Valley | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Salamanca | — | 536 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 Salamanca 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 Salamanca
Is Salamanca at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salamanca has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #611 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salamanca flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Salamanca since 1996, $2K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Salamanca 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 Cattaraugus County, 1.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Salamanca?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salamanca’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 Salamanca?
By FEMA money that reached Salamanca, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $20K to the City of Salamanca for repairs.
Is Salamanca at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Salamanca’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salamanca.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salamanca’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.