Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Glens Falls than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glens Falls gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #171 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Glens Falls 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
Earthquakes
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 Glens Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glens Falls, and Glens Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
A #171 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glens Falls’ 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, Glens Falls has less expected damage per building than 78% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Glens Falls: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glens Falls flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Glens Falls. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Glens Falls isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glens Falls
Disasters that paid out in Glens Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Glens Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene7 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$28K to the City of Glens Falls for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$20K to the City of Glens Falls for repairs
Warren County has had 13 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 Glens Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glens Falls archive →Glens Falls and its neighbors
Glens Falls is 2nd of the 4 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 |
| Glens Falls | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| South Glens Falls | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Queensbury | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| West Glens Falls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Glens Falls North | — | 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 Glens Falls 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Glens Falls
Is Glens Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glens Falls has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #171 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Glens Falls 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 Warren County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Glens Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glens Falls’ 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 Glens Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Glens Falls, Hurricane Irene (2011): 7 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $28K to the City of Glens Falls for repairs.
Is Glens Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Glens Falls’ rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glens Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glens Falls’ 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.