Pine Grove Community Church · Photo: Allan Green · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Watson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watson gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1984.
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 Watson 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 Watson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watson, and Watson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Watson’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $684K a year in losses across Watson: $618K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watson flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watson, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Watson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lewis County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watson
Disasters that paid out in Watson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Watson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Flooding$427K to the Town of Watson for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$16K to the Town of Watson for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$2K to the Town of Watson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Record Snow and Near Record Snow$8K to the Town of Watson for repairs
- 2004Snow$7K to the Town of Watson for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Watson for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Snow$6K to the Town of Watson for repairs
Lewis County has had 22 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 Watson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watson archive →Watson and its neighbors
Watson is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowville | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Martinsburg | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Croghan | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Webb | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| New Bremen | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Greig | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Watson | C−more damage than 76% | 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 Watson 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 Watson
Is Watson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watson has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Watson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Watson since 1984, $36K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Watson 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 Lewis County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Watson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watson’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 Watson?
By FEMA money that reached Watson, Severe Storm, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $427K to the Town of Watson for repairs.
Is Watson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Watson’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watson’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.