FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Willing than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willing gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Willing 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 Willing’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Willing, and Willing’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Willing’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $958K a year in losses across Willing: $863K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Willing flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Willing, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Willing 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Willing
Disasters that paid out in Willing itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Willing), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$458K to the Town of Willing for repairs
- 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred$19K to the Town of Willing for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$11K to the Town of Willing for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the Town of Willing for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to the Town of Willing for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$41K to the Town of Willing for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$42K to the Town of Willing 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 Willing after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Willing archive →Willing and its neighbors
Willing is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellsville | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Independence | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Willing | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Alma | — | 644 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Genesee Township | — | 682 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 Willing 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 Willing
Is Willing at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willing has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Willing flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Willing since 1981, $26K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Willing 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 Willing?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Willing’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 Willing?
By FEMA money that reached Willing, Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby (2024): $458K to the Town of Willing for repairs.
Is Willing at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Willing’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Willing.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Willing’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.