Photo: Tyler A. McNeil · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Colonie than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colonie gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #41 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Colonie 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 Colonie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Colonie, and Colonie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #41 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Colonie’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, Colonie has less expected damage per building than 95% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Colonie: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Colonie flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Colonie. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Colonie isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Albany County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Colonie
Disasters that paid out in Colonie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Colonie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Village of Colonie for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$47K to the Village of Colonie for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$37K to the Village of Colonie for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$143K to the Village of Colonie for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Albany County has had 16 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 Colonie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Colonie archive →Colonie and its neighbors
Colonie has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonie | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Guilderland | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Colonie | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Roessleville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Colonie 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 Colonie
Is Colonie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Colonie has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #41 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Colonie 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 Albany County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Colonie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Colonie’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 Colonie?
By FEMA money that reached Colonie, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $143K to the Village of Colonie for repairs.
Is Colonie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Colonie’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Colonie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Colonie’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.