Natural Disaster Risk in Wales Center
New York
Risk Summary for Wales Center
Wales Center scores 7.8/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Cold Wave.
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: Wales Center, New York
Wales Center, in Erie County, is a small unincorporated community situated in the Great Lakes region. Its humid continental climate brings cold winters, warm summers, and significant regional climate variation, and in particular nor'easters and lake-effect snowstorms. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Wales Center residents and property owners must navigate.
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Wales Center carries an overall risk score of 7.8/10, placing it in the high category. Arctic air outbreaks are the leading natural hazard, with temperature plunges to dangerous lows capable of causing hypothermia and widespread infrastructure failures. The area also faces notable exposure to winter and heat.
Within New York, Wales Center's risk is, considerably above the 6.1/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Erie County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by winter and heat. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Wales Center's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Wales Center: Cold Wave preparedness
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- Protect pipes, pets, and plants, and ensure heating systems are serviced before winter.
- Keep emergency heat and supplies ready in case of cold-related power outages.
Local Factors for Wales Center
These city-level factors differentiate Wales Center from other communities in Erie County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
77
RuralGeographic Zone
Great Lakes
Lake-effect snow & wind risk
Climate Band
Cool Continental
Latitude 42.8°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 6.7/10
Coordinates
42.7645° N, 78.5294° W
Erie 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 Wales Center
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Wales Center
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.