Photo: JJBers Public · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Clifton Park than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton Park gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #37 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1980.
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 stands out about Clifton Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clifton Park 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 Clifton Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clifton Park, and Clifton Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #37 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clifton Park’s residents live in 8 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, Clifton Park has less expected damage per building than 95% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Clifton Park: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clifton Park flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clifton Park, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $24K
Clifton Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saratoga County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clifton Park
Disasters that paid out in Clifton Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Clifton Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene37 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$173K to the Town of Clifton Park for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $24K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$190K to the Town of Clifton Park for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$1.2M to the Town of Clifton Park for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$2K to the Town of Clifton Park for repairs
Saratoga County has had 13 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 Clifton Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clifton Park archive →Clifton Park and its neighbors
Clifton Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Park | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Colonie | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Niskayuna | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Ballston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Malta | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Halfmoon | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Country Knolls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Round Lake | — | 915 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 Clifton Park 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 Clifton Park
Is Clifton Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton Park has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #37 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 Clifton Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Clifton Park since 1980, $359K in all, or 1.3 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 (2).
Is Clifton Park 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 Saratoga County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Clifton Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clifton Park’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 Clifton Park?
By FEMA money that reached Clifton Park, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $1.2M to the Town of Clifton Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $24K.
Is Clifton Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Clifton Park’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clifton Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clifton Park’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.