Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, West Seneca faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Seneca gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #640 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 120 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 West Seneca’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Seneca 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 West Seneca’s grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Seneca, and West Seneca’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
C #640 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Seneca’s residents live in 13 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, West Seneca has more expected damage per building than 84% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.0M a year in losses across West Seneca: $12.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Seneca flood? Yes: 120 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Seneca, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
West Seneca isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Erie County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Seneca
Disasters that paid out in West Seneca itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West Seneca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$430K to the Town of West Seneca for repairs
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of West Seneca for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$754K to the Town of West Seneca for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$245 aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding854 households applied for aid$407K aid approved$1.3M to the Town of West Seneca for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storm$120K to the Town of West Seneca for repairs
Show all 9
- 2001Snow$487K to the Town of West Seneca for repairs
- 2000Snow$35K to the Town of West Seneca for repairs
- 1999Snow$48K to the Town of West Seneca for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Erie County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of West Seneca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Seneca archive →West Seneca and its neighbors
West Seneca is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elma | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Orchard Park | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Cheektowaga | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| Buffalo | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 211 |
| West Seneca | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 120 |
| Lackawanna | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
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 West Seneca 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 West Seneca
Is West Seneca at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Seneca has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #640 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 West Seneca flood?
Flood insurance has paid 120 claims in West Seneca since 1978, $865K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once.
Is West Seneca 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 Erie County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Seneca?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Seneca’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 West Seneca?
By FEMA money that reached West Seneca, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 854 households applied for aid, $407K approved, and $1.3M to the Town of West Seneca for repairs.
Is West Seneca at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and West Seneca’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Seneca.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Seneca’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.