Photo: Mitchazenia · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Williamsville than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamsville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #239 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 85 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 Williamsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Williamsville 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 Williamsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williamsville, and Williamsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #239 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williamsville’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, Williamsville has less expected damage per building than 69% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Williamsville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williamsville flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Williamsville, from FEMA’s records: 29.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Williamsville 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Williamsville
Disasters that paid out in Williamsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Williamsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Village of Williamsville for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding1,358 households applied for aid$615K aid approved$409K to the Village of Williamsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Snow$12K to the Village of Williamsville for repairs
- 2000Snow$10K to the Village of Williamsville for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Village of Williamsville for repairs
- 1999Snow$9K to the Village of Williamsville for repairs
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 Williamsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williamsville archive →Williamsville and its neighbors
Williamsville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsville | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Cheektowaga | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| Amherst | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 263 |
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 Williamsville 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 Williamsville
Is Williamsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamsville has lower expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #239 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Williamsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Williamsville since 1978, $509K in all, or 29.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Williamsville 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 Williamsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williamsville’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 Williamsville?
By FEMA money that reached Williamsville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 1,358 households applied for aid, $615K approved, and $409K to the Village of Williamsville for repairs.
Is Williamsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Williamsville’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williamsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williamsville’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.