Photo: Luke Gordon from Greenwood Lake, NY, USA · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Greenwood Lake than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenwood Lake gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #695 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 46 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 Greenwood Lake 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 Greenwood Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenwood Lake, and Greenwood Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #695 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Greenwood Lake’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, Greenwood Lake has more expected damage per building than 92% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Greenwood Lake: $982K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenwood Lake flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenwood Lake, from FEMA’s records: 31.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $182K
- Hurricane Floyd4 claims · $10K
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $18K
Greenwood Lake 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenwood Lake
Disasters that paid out in Greenwood Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Greenwood Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida12 households applied for aid$23K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy69 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2011Hurricane Irene154 households applied for aid$358K aid approved9 flood claims paid for it, $182K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding14 households applied for aid$18K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
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 Greenwood Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenwood Lake archive →Get ready for what Greenwood Lake 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 Greenwood Lake
Is Greenwood Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenwood Lake has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #695 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Greenwood Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Greenwood Lake since 1979, $402K in all, or 31.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (9).
Is Greenwood Lake 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 Greenwood Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenwood Lake’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 Greenwood Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Greenwood Lake, Hurricane Irene (2011): 154 households applied for aid, $358K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 9 paid, $182K.
Is Greenwood Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Greenwood Lake’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenwood Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenwood Lake’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.