Photo: Dclemens1971 · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Wells
Wells isn’t graded for hazard risk: Wells has 671 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2019.
What Wells 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.
Does Wells flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wells, from FEMA’s records.
- The December nor’easter2 claims · $184K
Wells isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wells
Disasters that paid out in Wells itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wells), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.9M to the Town of Wells for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$77K to the Town of Wells for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Wells for repairs
Hamilton County has had 12 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 Wells after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wells archive →Wells and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Lake | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Johnsburg | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lake Pleasant | — | 863 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Speculator | — | 409 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hope | — | 587 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Benson | — | 271 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Arietta | — | 264 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stony Creek | — | 903 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 Wells 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 Wells
Does Wells flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Wells since 2019, $264K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Nor'easter (2).
Is Wells 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 Hamilton County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wells?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wells’ 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 Wells?
By FEMA money that reached Wells, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $1.9M to the Town of Wells for repairs. By flood claims, December Nor'easter: 2 paid, $184K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wells.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wells’ 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.