Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Esopus than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Esopus gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #286 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Esopus 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 Esopus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Esopus, and Esopus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #286 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Esopus’ 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, Esopus has less expected damage per building than 62% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Esopus: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Esopus flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Esopus, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $21K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $11K
Esopus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ulster County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Esopus
Disasters that paid out in Esopus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Esopus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Town of Esopus for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene11 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$80K to the Town of Esopus for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$537 aid approved$88K to the Town of Esopus for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Esopus for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Esopus for repairs
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Esopus for repairs
Show all 8
- 2002Snowstorms$31K to the Town of Esopus for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to the Town of Esopus for repairs
Ulster County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Esopus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Esopus archive →Esopus and its neighbors
Esopus is 2nd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Paltz | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Esopus | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Rhinebeck | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Ulster | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 178 |
| Lloyd | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Hyde Park | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Rosendale | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Kingston | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 76 |
| Port Ewen | — | 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 Esopus 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 Esopus
Is Esopus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Esopus has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #286 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Esopus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Esopus since 1978, $85K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Esopus 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 Ulster County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Esopus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Esopus’ 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 Esopus?
By FEMA money that reached Esopus, Hurricane Irene (2011): 11 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $80K to the Town of Esopus for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $21K.
Is Esopus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Esopus’ rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Esopus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Esopus’ 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.