Photo: Indefatigable2 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Beekman 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, Beekman gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #465 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2010.
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 Beekman 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 Beekman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beekman, and Beekman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B #465 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beekman’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, Beekman has more expected damage per building than 61% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Beekman: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Beekman flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beekman, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $45K
- The Vermont/New York Flooding1 claim · $28K
Beekman 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beekman
Disasters that paid out in Beekman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Beekman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$196K to the Town of Beekman for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$128K to the Town of Beekman for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $45K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$103K to the Town of Beekman for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Town of Beekman for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$23K to the Town of Beekman for repairs
- 2003Snow$25K to the Town of Beekman 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 Beekman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beekman archive →Beekman and its neighbors
Beekman is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Vale | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pawling | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| LaGrange | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Beekman | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Fishkill | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 120 |
| Dover | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
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 Beekman 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 Beekman
Is Beekman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beekman has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #465 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beekman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Beekman since 2010, $106K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (1).
Is Beekman 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 Beekman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Beekman’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 Beekman?
By FEMA money that reached Beekman, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $196K to the Town of Beekman for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 1 paid, $45K.
Is Beekman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Beekman’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beekman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beekman’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.