Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Fort Edward’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Edward gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #437 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 Fort Edward 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
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 Fort Edward’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fort Edward, and Fort Edward’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
B #437 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fort Edward’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, Fort Edward has more expected damage per building than 58% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $818K a year in losses across Fort Edward: $619K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fort Edward flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fort Edward, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fort Edward isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Fort Edward
Disasters that paid out in Fort Edward itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Fort Edward), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene5 households applied for aid$11K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Washington County has had 9 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 Fort Edward after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fort Edward archive →Fort Edward and its neighbors
Fort Edward is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moreau | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Fort Edward | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Fort Edward | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 Fort Edward 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.
- 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 Fort Edward
Is Fort Edward at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fort Edward has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #437 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fort Edward flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fort Edward since 2011, $10K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fort Edward 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 Washington County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fort Edward?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fort Edward’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 Fort Edward?
By FEMA money that reached Fort Edward, Hurricane Irene (2011): 5 households applied for aid, $11K approved.
Is Fort Edward at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Fort Edward’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fort Edward.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fort Edward’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.