Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Goshen than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goshen gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #152 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1979.
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 Goshen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Goshen 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
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 Goshen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Goshen, and Goshen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
A #152 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Goshen’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, Goshen has less expected damage per building than 80% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Goshen: $881K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Goshen flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Goshen, from FEMA’s records: 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene19 claims · $710K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $33K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $8K
Goshen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Goshen
Disasters that paid out in Goshen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Goshen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida31 households applied for aid$93K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy41 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee20 households applied for aid$45K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $816
- 2011Hurricane Irene239 households applied for aid$545K aid approved$93K to the Village of Goshen for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $710K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding18 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$21K to the Village of Goshen for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$16K to the Village of Goshen for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$16K to the Village of Goshen for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$33K to the Village of Goshen for repairs
Orange County has had 25 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 1999–2024.
Old photos of Goshen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Goshen archive →Get ready for what Goshen 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.
- 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 Goshen
Is Goshen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goshen has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #152 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Goshen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Goshen since 1979, $807K in all, or 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (19).
Is Goshen 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 Orange County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Goshen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Goshen’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 Goshen?
By FEMA money that reached Goshen, Hurricane Irene (2011): 239 households applied for aid, $545K approved, and $93K to the Village of Goshen for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 19 paid, $710K.
Is Goshen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Goshen’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Goshen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Goshen’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.