Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cornwall-on-Hudson than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cornwall-on-Hudson gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #426 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 19 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 Cornwall-on-Hudson 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 Cornwall-on-Hudson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cornwall-on-Hudson, and Cornwall-on-Hudson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B #426 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cornwall-on-Hudson’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, Cornwall-on-Hudson has more expected damage per building than 56% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $859K a year in losses across Cornwall-on-Hudson: $700K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cornwall-on-Hudson flood? Sometimes: 19 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cornwall-on-Hudson, from FEMA’s records: 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding6 claims · $196K
- The December nor’easter2 claims · $45K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $8K
Cornwall-on-Hudson 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 Cornwall-on-Hudson
Disasters that paid out in Cornwall-on-Hudson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$852K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$939K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $8K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$73K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene40 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$357K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding11 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$83K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$33K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$9K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$76K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs
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 Cornwall-on-Hudson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cornwall-on-Hudson archive →Cornwall-on-Hudson and its neighbors
Cornwall-on-Hudson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornwall-on-Hudson | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Firthcliffe | — | 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 Cornwall-on-Hudson 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 Cornwall-on-Hudson
Is Cornwall-on-Hudson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cornwall-on-Hudson has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #426 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cornwall-on-Hudson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 19 claims in Cornwall-on-Hudson since 1979, $295K in all, or 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (6).
Is Cornwall-on-Hudson 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 Cornwall-on-Hudson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cornwall-on-Hudson’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 Cornwall-on-Hudson?
By FEMA money that reached Cornwall-on-Hudson, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 7 households applied for aid, $7K approved, and $939K to the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 6 paid, $196K.
Is Cornwall-on-Hudson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Cornwall-on-Hudson’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cornwall-on-Hudson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cornwall-on-Hudson’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.