FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Cobleskill than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cobleskill gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #417 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1987.
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 Cobleskill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cobleskill 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 Cobleskill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cobleskill, and Cobleskill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
B #417 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cobleskill’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, Cobleskill has more expected damage per building than 55% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Cobleskill: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cobleskill flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cobleskill, from FEMA’s records: 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $123K
- Tropical Storm Lee7 claims · $40K
Cobleskill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Schoharie County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cobleskill
Disasters that paid out in Cobleskill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cobleskill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee30 households applied for aid$37K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $40K
- 2011Hurricane Irene82 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$180K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $123K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$29K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$5K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$2K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$1K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$4K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$12K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs
Schoharie County has had 20 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.
Old photos of Cobleskill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cobleskill archive →Get ready for what Cobleskill 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 Cobleskill
Is Cobleskill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cobleskill has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #417 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cobleskill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Cobleskill since 1987, $175K in all, or 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (12).
Is Cobleskill 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 Schoharie County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cobleskill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cobleskill’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 Cobleskill?
By FEMA money that reached Cobleskill, Hurricane Irene (2011): 82 households applied for aid, $82K approved, and $180K to the Village of Cobleskill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 12 paid, $123K.
Is Cobleskill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Cobleskill’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cobleskill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cobleskill’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.