Gen. John McCausland House (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Roger B. Wise · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Buffalo than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buffalo gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2006.
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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 98% of the building damage FEMA expects in Buffalo, and Buffalo’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 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Buffalo’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $783K a year in losses across Buffalo: $681K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Buffalo flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Buffalo, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Buffalo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Buffalo
Disasters that paid out in Buffalo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Buffalo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides10 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Putnam County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Buffalo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Buffalo archive →Get ready for what Buffalo 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 Buffalo
Is Buffalo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Buffalo has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (98%). 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 Buffalo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Buffalo since 2006, $2K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Buffalo 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 Putnam County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Buffalo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Buffalo’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 Buffalo?
By FEMA money that reached Buffalo, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2024): 10 households applied for aid, $30K approved.
Is Buffalo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (98%), and Buffalo’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Buffalo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Buffalo’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.