Photo: Denaliano at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Halfmoon than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Halfmoon gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #253 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Halfmoon 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 Halfmoon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Halfmoon, and Halfmoon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #253 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Halfmoon’s residents live in 7 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, Halfmoon has less expected damage per building than 67% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Halfmoon: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Halfmoon flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Halfmoon, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding1 claim · $12K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $298K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $7K
Halfmoon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saratoga County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Halfmoon
Disasters that paid out in Halfmoon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Halfmoon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$58K to the Town of Halfmoon for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$20K to the Town of Halfmoon for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $298K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Town of Halfmoon for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$469K to the Town of Halfmoon for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$23K to the Town of Halfmoon for repairs
Saratoga County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe 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 Halfmoon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Halfmoon archive →Halfmoon and its neighbors
Halfmoon is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Park | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Colonie | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Malta | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Halfmoon | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Schaghticoke | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Stillwater | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Waterford | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 116 |
| Mechanicville | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
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 Halfmoon 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 Halfmoon
Is Halfmoon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Halfmoon has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #253 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Halfmoon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Halfmoon since 1979, $454K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (1).
Is Halfmoon 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 Saratoga County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Halfmoon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Halfmoon’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 Halfmoon?
By FEMA money that reached Halfmoon, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $469K to the Town of Halfmoon for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Halfmoon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Halfmoon’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Halfmoon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Halfmoon’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.