On FEMA’s figures, Altona faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Altona gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #647 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Altona 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
Earthquakes
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 Altona’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Altona, and Altona’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #647 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Altona’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Altona has more expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $802K a year in losses across Altona: $682K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Altona flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Altona, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Altona isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Altona
Disasters that paid out in Altona itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Altona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$298K to the Town of Altona for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Town of Altona for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Altona for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene18 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$74K to the Town of Altona for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$8K to the Town of Altona for repairs
Clinton County has had 13 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; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Altona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Altona archive →Altona and its neighbors
Altona is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellenburg | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Dannemora | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Altona | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Mooers | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Chazy | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Beekmantown | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 Altona 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Altona
Is Altona at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Altona has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #647 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Altona flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Altona since 1996, $61K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Altona 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 Clinton County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Altona?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Altona’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 Altona?
By FEMA money that reached Altona, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $298K to the Town of Altona for repairs.
Is Altona at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Altona’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Altona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Altona’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.