Photo: AlleganyCounty · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Wellsville than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellsville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #756 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1981.
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 Wellsville 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 Wellsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wellsville, and Wellsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #756 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wellsville’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, Wellsville has more expected damage per building than 100% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Wellsville: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wellsville flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wellsville, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wellsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Allegany County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wellsville
Disasters that paid out in Wellsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Wellsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$82K to the Village of Wellsville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$243K to the Village of Wellsville for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes35 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$29K to the Village of Wellsville for repairs
Allegany County has had 19 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 Wellsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wellsville archive →Get ready for what Wellsville 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 Wellsville
Is Wellsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellsville has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #756 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wellsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Wellsville since 1981, $44K in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Wellsville 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 Allegany County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wellsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wellsville’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 Wellsville?
By FEMA money that reached Wellsville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): $243K to the Village of Wellsville for repairs.
Is Wellsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Wellsville’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wellsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wellsville’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.