National Biscuit Company Carton Making and Printing Plant · Photo: Rolf Müller (User:Rolfmueller) · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Beacon’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beacon gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #671 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1978.
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 Beacon 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 Beacon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beacon, and Beacon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
C #671 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beacon’s residents live in 4 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, Beacon has more expected damage per building than 89% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Beacon: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beacon flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beacon, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida5 claims · $32K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $28K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $77K
Beacon 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beacon
Disasters that paid out in Beacon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beacon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$22K to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida68 households applied for aid$123K aid approved$80K to the City of Beacon for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $32K
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$94K to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$11K to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene151 households applied for aid$271K aid approved$162K to the City of Beacon for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $28K
Show all 13
- 2011Flooding$9K to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2010Flooding$750 to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the City of Beacon for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding19 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$21K to the City of Beacon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$26K to the City of Beacon 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 Beacon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beacon archive →Get ready for what Beacon 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 Beacon
Is Beacon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beacon has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #671 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beacon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Beacon since 1978, $303K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (5).
Is Beacon 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 Beacon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beacon’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 Beacon?
By FEMA money that reached Beacon, Hurricane Irene (2011): 151 households applied for aid, $271K approved, and $162K to the City of Beacon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 5 paid, $32K.
Is Beacon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Beacon’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beacon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beacon’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.