Photo: Novis-M · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Bolton 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, Bolton gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Bolton 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 Bolton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bolton, and Bolton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bolton’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Bolton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bolton flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bolton, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bolton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bolton
Disasters that paid out in Bolton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bolton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$642K to the Town of Bolton for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$25K to the Town of Bolton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$36K to the Town of Bolton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the Town of Bolton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$156K to the Town of Bolton for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the Town of Bolton for repairs
Warren County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Bolton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bolton archive →Bolton and its neighbors
Bolton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queensbury | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Lake George | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Fort Ann | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Bolton | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Warrensburg | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Horicon | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Dresden | — | 551 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Hague | — | 703 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bolton 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 Bolton
Is Bolton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bolton has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. 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 Bolton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Bolton since 1978, $40K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bolton 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 Warren County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bolton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bolton’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 Bolton?
By FEMA money that reached Bolton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2019): $642K to the Town of Bolton for repairs.
Is Bolton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Bolton’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bolton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bolton’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.