Goodsell House · Photo: FollowerOfHank · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Webb faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webb gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Webb 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 Webb’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Webb, and Webb’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Webb’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Webb: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Webb flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Webb, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Webb isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Herkimer County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Webb
Disasters that paid out in Webb itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Webb), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Webb for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the Town of Webb for repairs
Herkimer County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe 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 Webb after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Webb archive →Webb and its neighbors
Webb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diana | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Webb | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Forestport | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Fine | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Greig | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Watson | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Ohio | — | 980 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Long Lake | — | 875 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Inlet | — | 227 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 Webb 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 Webb
Is Webb at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webb has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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 Webb flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Webb since 1979, $461 in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Webb 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 Herkimer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Webb?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Webb’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 Webb?
By FEMA money that reached Webb, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2017): $12K to the Town of Webb for repairs.
Is Webb at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Webb’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Webb.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Webb’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.