George G. Mason House · Photo: MohawkPhotographer · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Webster than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webster gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #35 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 stands out about Webster’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Webster 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 Webster’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Webster, and Webster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #35 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Webster’s residents live in 12 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, Webster has less expected damage per building than 96% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Webster: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Webster flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Webster, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Blizzard of 19932 claims · $5K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $7K
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $2K
Webster 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Webster
Disasters that paid out in Webster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Webster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding$24K to the Town of Webster for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$76K to the Town of Webster for repairs
- 1999Snow$9K to the Town of Webster 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 Webster after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Webster archive →Webster and its neighbors
Webster has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webster | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Ontario | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Penfield | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Irondequoit | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
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 Webster 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 Webster
Is Webster at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webster has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #35 of 758 in New York. 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 Webster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Webster since 1978, $123K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Blizzard of 1993 (2).
Is Webster 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 Webster?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Webster’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 Webster?
By FEMA money that reached Webster, Ice Storm (2003): $76K to the Town of Webster for repairs. By flood claims, Blizzard of 1993: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Webster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Webster’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Webster.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Webster’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.