Photo: Igoldste · CC BY-SA 2.5FEMA puts Bethlehem’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethlehem gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #139 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bethlehem, and Bethlehem’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #139 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bethlehem’s residents live in 7 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, Bethlehem has less expected damage per building than 82% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Bethlehem: $5.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bethlehem flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bethlehem, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $127K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $9K
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $31K
Bethlehem isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Albany County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bethlehem
Disasters that paid out in Bethlehem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bethlehem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$83K to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$2.9M to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $127K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$393K to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$45K to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$284K to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$50K to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs
Show all 9
- 2002Snowstorms$145K to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$32K to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$298K to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $9K
Albany County has had 16 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 Bethlehem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bethlehem archive →Bethlehem and its neighbors
Bethlehem is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilderland | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Bethlehem | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| New Scotland | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| East Greenbush | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Albany | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Coeymans | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Schodack | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem
Is Bethlehem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethlehem has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #139 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bethlehem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Bethlehem since 1996, $253K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is Bethlehem 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 Albany County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bethlehem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bethlehem’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 Bethlehem?
By FEMA money that reached Bethlehem, Hurricane Irene (2011): $2.9M to the Town of Bethlehem for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $127K.
Is Bethlehem at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Bethlehem’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bethlehem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bethlehem’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.