Photo: Adam Moss · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wheeler than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheeler gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1996.
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 Wheeler 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 Wheeler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wheeler, and Wheeler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wheeler’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $296K a year in losses across Wheeler: $221K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wheeler flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wheeler, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $7K
Wheeler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Steuben County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wheeler
Disasters that paid out in Wheeler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wheeler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$488K to the Town of Wheeler for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$207K to the Town of Wheeler for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$27K to the Town of Wheeler for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to the Town of Wheeler for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$27K to the Town of Wheeler for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the Town of Wheeler for repairs
Steuben 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 Wheeler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wheeler archive →Wheeler and its neighbors
Wheeler is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prattsburgh | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wheeler | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bath | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Avoca | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Urbana | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Wheeler 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 Wheeler
Is Wheeler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wheeler has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wheeler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wheeler since 1996, $9K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (1).
Is Wheeler 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 Steuben County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wheeler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wheeler’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 Wheeler?
By FEMA money that reached Wheeler, Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby (2024): $488K to the Town of Wheeler for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Wheeler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Wheeler’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wheeler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wheeler’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.