Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Amenia than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amenia gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #618 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2005.
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 Amenia 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
Hurricanes
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 Amenia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Amenia, and Amenia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #618 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Amenia’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Amenia has more expected damage per building than 82% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Amenia: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Amenia flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Amenia, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $13K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $7K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $14K
Amenia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dutchess County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Amenia
Disasters that paid out in Amenia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Amenia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$35K to the Town of Amenia for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Town of Amenia for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$311 aid approved$393K to the Town of Amenia for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Amenia for repairs
Dutchess County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Amenia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Amenia archive →Amenia and its neighbors
Amenia is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| North East | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Stanford | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Sharon | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Dover | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Amenia | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Amenia 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Amenia
Is Amenia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Amenia has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #618 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Amenia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Amenia since 2005, $45K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (2).
Is Amenia 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 Dutchess County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Amenia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Amenia’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 Amenia?
By FEMA money that reached Amenia, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 2 households applied for aid, $311 approved, and $393K to the Town of Amenia for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $13K.
Is Amenia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Amenia’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Amenia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Amenia’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.