Photo: Novis-M · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Chester faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chester gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #638 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Chester 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 Chester’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chester, and Chester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C #638 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chester’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, Chester has more expected damage per building than 84% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Chester: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chester flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chester, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Chester 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.The storms Chester remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Warren County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Chester itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20111 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Irene, declared for Warren County
- 20191 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, declared for Warren County
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 Chester after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chester archive →Chester and its neighbors
Chester is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnsburg | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Warrensburg | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Chester | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Horicon | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Thurman | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Pottersville | — | 140 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Minerva | — | 836 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| North Creek | — | 414 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 Chester 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 Chester
Is Chester at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chester has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #638 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Chester since 2011, $28K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Chester 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 Chester?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chester’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Chester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Chester’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chester.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chester’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.