Whiteside, Barnett and Co. Agricultural Works · Photo: LtPowers · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Sweden than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sweden gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #2 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Sweden 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 Sweden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sweden, and Sweden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #2 of 758 in New York; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sweden’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, Sweden has less expected damage per building than 100% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Sweden: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sweden flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sweden, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sweden 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sweden
Disasters that paid out in Sweden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sweden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Town of Sweden for repairs
- 1999Snow$2K to the Town of Sweden 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 Sweden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sweden archive →Sweden and its neighbors
Sweden is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brockport | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Sweden | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ogden | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Clarkson | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Bergen | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Clarendon | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Sweden 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 Sweden
Is Sweden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sweden has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #2 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sweden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Sweden since 1979, $2K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sweden 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 Sweden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sweden’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 Sweden?
By FEMA money that reached Sweden, Snow (1999): $2K to the Town of Sweden for repairs.
Is Sweden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Sweden’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sweden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sweden’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.