Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, East Fishkill faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Fishkill gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #549 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 120 claims here since 1978.
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 East Fishkill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Fishkill 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 East Fishkill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Fishkill, and East Fishkill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 15% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #549 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Fishkill’s residents live in 6 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, East Fishkill has more expected damage per building than 72% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across East Fishkill: $8.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Fishkill flood? Yes: 120 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Fishkill, from FEMA’s records: 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter33 claims · $899K
- Hurricane Ida21 claims · $608K
- Hurricane Irene18 claims · $394K
East Fishkill is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dutchess County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Fishkill
Disasters that paid out in East Fishkill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Fishkill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$1.4M to the Town of East Fishkill for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$2.8M to the Town of East Fishkill for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $608K
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$184K to the Town of East Fishkill for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$193K to the Town of East Fishkill for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $394K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$141K to the Town of East Fishkill for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding1 households applied for aid$629 aid approved$224K to the Town of East Fishkill for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$85K to the Town of East Fishkill for repairs1 flood claim 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 East Fishkill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Fishkill archive →East Fishkill and its neighbors
East Fishkill is 7th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Pawling | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Wappinger | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Fishkill | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| LaGrange | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Beekman | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Fishkill | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 120 |
| Myers Corner | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Brinckerhoff | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| New Hackensack | — | 957 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 East Fishkill 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.
- East Fishkill residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in East Fishkill
Is East Fishkill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Fishkill has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #549 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Fishkill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 120 claims in East Fishkill since 1978, $2.6M in all, or 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (33).
Is East Fishkill 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 East Fishkill?
East Fishkill is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in East Fishkill?
By FEMA money that reached East Fishkill, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): $2.8M to the Town of East Fishkill for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 33 paid, $899K.
Is East Fishkill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and East Fishkill’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Fishkill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Fishkill’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.