Photo: Rolf Müller (User:Rolfmueller) · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Fishkill than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fishkill gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #441 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 48 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 Fishkill’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What 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 Fishkill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fishkill, and Fishkill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #441 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fishkill’s residents live in 8 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, Fishkill has more expected damage per building than 58% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Fishkill: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fishkill flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fishkill, from FEMA’s records: 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter12 claims · $294K
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $78K
- Hurricane Ida9 claims · $158K
Fishkill 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 Fishkill
Disasters that paid out in Fishkill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fishkill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$16K to the Town of Fishkill for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $158K
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the Town of Fishkill for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$57K to the Town of Fishkill for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $78K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Town of Fishkill for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$93K to the Town of Fishkill for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$26K to the Town of 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 Fishkill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fishkill archive →Fishkill and its neighbors
Fishkill is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Windsor | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Wappinger | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Fishkill | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Philipstown | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Cornwall | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| East Fishkill | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 120 |
| Newburgh | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Brinckerhoff | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Newburgh | — | not graded yet | |
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 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Fishkill
Is Fishkill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fishkill has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #441 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fishkill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Fishkill since 1978, $671K in all, or 4.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (12).
Is 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 Fishkill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fishkill’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 Fishkill?
By FEMA money that reached Fishkill, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): $93K to the Town of Fishkill for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 12 paid, $294K.
Is Fishkill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Fishkill’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fishkill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where 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.