Photo: Dougtone · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Youngstown faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Youngstown gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2017.
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 Youngstown 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 Youngstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Youngstown, and Youngstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Youngstown’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $297K a year in losses across Youngstown: $255K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Youngstown flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Youngstown, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Youngstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Niagara County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Youngstown
Disasters that paid out in Youngstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Youngstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$11K to the Village of Youngstown for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the Village of Youngstown for repairs
- 1999Snow$2K to the Village of Youngstown for repairs
Niagara 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 Youngstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Youngstown archive →Youngstown and its neighbors
Youngstown is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porter | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Youngstown | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Youngstown 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 Youngstown
Is Youngstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Youngstown has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Youngstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Youngstown since 2017, $22K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Youngstown 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 Niagara County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Youngstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Youngstown’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 Youngstown?
By FEMA money that reached Youngstown, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $25K to the Village of Youngstown for repairs.
Is Youngstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Youngstown’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Youngstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Youngstown’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.