Photo: Zotdragon · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts East Greenbush’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Greenbush gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #297 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1980.
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 East Greenbush 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 Greenbush’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Greenbush, and East Greenbush’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #297 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Greenbush’s residents live in 5 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 Greenbush has less expected damage per building than 61% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across East Greenbush: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Greenbush flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Greenbush, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
East Greenbush isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rensselaer County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Greenbush
Disasters that paid out in East Greenbush itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of East Greenbush), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene13 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$84K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$439K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$48K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs
Show all 8
- 2002Snowstorms$53K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$317K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs
Rensselaer County has had 21 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 Greenbush after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Greenbush archive →East Greenbush and its neighbors
East Greenbush is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| East Greenbush | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| North Greenbush | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Sand Lake | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Rensselaer | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Schodack | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Hampton Manor | — | 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 East Greenbush 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 East Greenbush
Is East Greenbush at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Greenbush has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #297 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Greenbush flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in East Greenbush since 1980, $170K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is East Greenbush 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 Rensselaer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in East Greenbush?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Greenbush’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 East Greenbush?
By FEMA money that reached East Greenbush, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $439K to the Town of East Greenbush for repairs.
Is East Greenbush at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and East Greenbush’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Greenbush.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Greenbush’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.