On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Webster, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Webster gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #6 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2012.
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 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 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Webster, and Webster’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #6 of 758 in New York; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Webster’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, Webster has less expected damage per building than 99% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $823K a year in losses across Webster: $576K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Webster flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Webster, 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.
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $101K
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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Webster
Disasters that paid out in Webster itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Webster), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Ice Storm199 households applied for aid$165K aid approved
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 →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 among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #6 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 Webster flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Webster since 2012, $101K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (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): 199 households applied for aid, $165K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2 paid, $101K.
Is Webster at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Webster’s rate for it is lower than 88% 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.