Natural Disaster Risk in North Tonawanda
New York
Risk Summary for North Tonawanda
North Tonawanda scores 6.3/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Coastal Flooding.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: North Tonawanda, New York
North Tonawanda is a city of approximately 44,241 residents in Niagara County, in the Great Lakes region. The area experiences cold winters, warm summers, and significant regional climate variation, with nor'easters and lake-effect snowstorms shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in North Tonawanda.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, North Tonawanda carries an overall risk score of 6.3/10, placing it in the high category. Coastal flood risk defines the local natural hazard environment, with sea-level rise trends gradually increasing the frequency of tidal flooding events alongside storm surge threats. The area also faces notable exposure to ice storm and avalanche.
North Tonawanda's risk score, near the 6.1/10 state average and above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Niagara County, the highest-scoring are coastal flood, ice storm, and avalanche. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
With a high natural disaster risk rating, North Tonawanda residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for coastal flood and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.
What this means for North Tonawanda: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- Coastal flood and storm-surge damage requires separate flood insurance, not standard homeowners coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and monitor tidal and surge forecasts during coastal storms.
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
Local Factors for North Tonawanda
These city-level factors differentiate North Tonawanda from other communities in Niagara County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
44,241
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Great Lakes
Lake-effect snow & wind risk
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 43.1°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 4.2/10
Coordinates
43.0734° N, 78.8358° W
Niagara County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for North Tonawanda
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in North Tonawanda
Other cities in New York
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.