Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Chester’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chester gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #183 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1979.
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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chester, and Chester’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 17% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A #183 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 89% 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 less expected damage per building than 76% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Chester: $814K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chester flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chester, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $90K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $8K
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: Orange County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chester
Disasters that paid out in Chester itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Chester), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida22 households applied for aid$71K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy36 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene188 households applied for aid$511K aid approved$35K to the Village of Chester for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $90K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding19 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan4 households applied for aid$384 aid approved
- 2003Snow$5K to the Village of Chester for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$6K to the Village of Chester for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4K to the Village of Chester for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
Orange County has had 25 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 1999–2024.
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 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #183 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chester flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Chester since 1979, $108K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
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 Orange County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
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.
What was the biggest storm in Chester?
By FEMA money that reached Chester, Hurricane Irene (2011): 188 households applied for aid, $511K approved, and $35K to the Village of Chester for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $90K.
Is Chester at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Chester’s rate for it is lower than 76% 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.