Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Dover faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #612 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 1984.
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 Dover’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dover 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 Dover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dover, and Dover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #612 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dover’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, Dover has more expected damage per building than 81% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Dover: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dover flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dover, from FEMA’s records: 10.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter9 claims · $189K
- The Torrential rain5 claims · $37K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $7K
Dover isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dutchess County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dover
Disasters that paid out in Dover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$526K to the Town of Dover for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$214K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$319K to the Town of Dover for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$234K to the Town of Dover for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Dutchess 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 Dover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dover archive →Dover and its neighbors
Dover is 4th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Vale | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pawling | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Beekman | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Dover | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Amenia | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Sherman | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Kent | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
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 Dover 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 Dover
Is Dover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #612 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Dover since 1984, $418K in all, or 10.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (9).
Is Dover 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 Dutchess County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dover’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 Dover?
By FEMA money that reached Dover, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $526K to the Town of Dover for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 9 paid, $189K.
Is Dover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Dover’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dover’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.