Photo: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:N-Lange.de · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ballston Spa faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ballston Spa gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #581 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 2007.
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 Ballston Spa 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 Ballston Spa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ballston Spa, and Ballston Spa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #581 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ballston Spa’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, Ballston Spa has more expected damage per building than 77% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Ballston Spa: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ballston Spa flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ballston Spa, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $28K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $11K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $4K
Ballston Spa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saratoga County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ballston Spa
Disasters that paid out in Ballston Spa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Ballston Spa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Village of Ballston Spa for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene24 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$96K to the Village of Ballston Spa for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $28K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Village of Ballston Spa for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$8K to the Village of Ballston Spa for repairs
Saratoga County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe 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 Ballston Spa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ballston Spa archive →Ballston Spa and its neighbors
Ballston Spa has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballston Spa | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| North Ballston Spa | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Ballston Spa 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 Ballston Spa
Is Ballston Spa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ballston Spa has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #581 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ballston Spa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Ballston Spa since 2007, $72K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Ballston Spa 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 Saratoga County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Ballston Spa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ballston Spa’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 Ballston Spa?
By FEMA money that reached Ballston Spa, Hurricane Irene (2011): 24 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $96K to the Village of Ballston Spa for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $28K.
Is Ballston Spa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Ballston Spa’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ballston Spa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ballston Spa’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.