FEMA puts Sheridan’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheridan gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #86 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sheridan, and Sheridan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
A #86 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sheridan’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, Sheridan has less expected damage per building than 89% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $494K a year in losses across Sheridan: $381K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sheridan flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sheridan, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $80K
Sheridan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chautauqua County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sheridan
Disasters that paid out in Sheridan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sheridan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$43K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$10K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$60K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$252K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs
- 2001Snow$9K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Snow$3K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs
- 1999Snow$4K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs
Chautauqua County has had 18 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 Sheridan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sheridan archive →Sheridan and its neighbors
Sheridan is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkirk | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sheridan | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Pomfret | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Silver Creek | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 71 |
| Hanover | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1,166 |
| Arkwright | — | 859 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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan
Is Sheridan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sheridan has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #86 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Sheridan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Sheridan since 1979, $133K in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% 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 Sheridan 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 Chautauqua County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sheridan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sheridan’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 Sheridan?
By FEMA money that reached Sheridan, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): $252K to the Town of Sheridan for repairs. By flood claims, Late summer storms: 1 paid, $80K.
Is Sheridan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Sheridan’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sheridan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sheridan’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.