Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Seneca than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seneca gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #216 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Seneca 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 Seneca’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seneca, and Seneca’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
A #216 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Seneca’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Seneca has less expected damage per building than 72% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $849K a year in losses across Seneca: $602K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seneca flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seneca, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Seneca 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seneca
Disasters that paid out in Seneca itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Seneca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$42K to the Town of Seneca for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$35K to the Town of Seneca for repairs
- 1999Snow$10K to the Town of Seneca for repairs
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 Seneca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seneca archive →Seneca and its neighbors
Seneca 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopewell | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Phelps | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Seneca | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Geneva | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Gorham | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Benton | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Seneca 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 Seneca
Is Seneca at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seneca has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #216 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seneca flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Seneca since 1978, $5K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Seneca 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 Seneca?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seneca’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 Seneca?
By FEMA money that reached Seneca, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $42K to the Town of Seneca for repairs.
Is Seneca at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Seneca’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seneca.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seneca’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.