Old Biology Hall · Photo: User:Stephen Sommerhalter · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hamilton faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #580 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1992.
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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamilton, and Hamilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #580 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamilton’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, Hamilton has more expected damage per building than 76% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Hamilton: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamilton flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamilton, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $10K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $89K
Hamilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Madison County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamilton
Disasters that paid out in Hamilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hamilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$68K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$167K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$142K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$44K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$17K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Ice Storm$8K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$5K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs
Madison County has had 18 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 Hamilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamilton archive →Hamilton and its neighbors
Hamilton is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hamilton | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lebanon | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Hamilton | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Brookfield | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Sherburne | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton
Is Hamilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #580 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hamilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hamilton since 1992, $100K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (1).
Is Hamilton 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 Madison County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hamilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamilton’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 Hamilton?
By FEMA money that reached Hamilton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2013): $167K to the Town of Hamilton for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Hamilton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Hamilton’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamilton’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.