Photo: Brandon Peterman (Zyrshnikashnu at en.wikipedia) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Tonawanda’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tonawanda gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #678 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tonawanda, and Tonawanda’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C #678 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tonawanda’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, Tonawanda has more expected damage per building than 89% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.7M a year in losses across Tonawanda: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tonawanda flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tonawanda, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Tonawanda isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Erie County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Tonawanda
Disasters that paid out in Tonawanda itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tonawanda), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding1,689 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved
Erie 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 Tonawanda after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tonawanda archive →Tonawanda and its neighbors
Tonawanda is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Tonawanda | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Tonawanda | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North Tonawanda | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Tonawanda Town | — | 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 Tonawanda 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 Tonawanda
Is Tonawanda at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tonawanda has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #678 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tonawanda flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Tonawanda since 1978, $27K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Tonawanda 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 Erie County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tonawanda?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tonawanda’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 Tonawanda?
By FEMA money that reached Tonawanda, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 1,689 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved.
Is Tonawanda at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Tonawanda’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tonawanda.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tonawanda’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.