Photo: Alexisrael · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Highland Falls than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Falls gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #689 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Highland 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
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 Highland Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highland Falls, and Highland Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #689 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highland Falls’ 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, Highland Falls has more expected damage per building than 91% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Highland Falls: $993K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highland Falls flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highland Falls, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $31K
Highland 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: Orange County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highland Falls
Disasters that paid out in Highland Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Highland Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$3.8M to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy6 households applied for aid$734 aid approved
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee1 households applied for aid$595 aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene41 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$239K to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$10K to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$15K to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs
- 2003Snow$13K to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$9K to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$69K to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $31K
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 Highland Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highland Falls archive →Highland Falls and its neighbors
Highland Falls has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Falls | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Point | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Fort Montgomery | — | 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 Highland 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.
- 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 Highland Falls
Is Highland Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highland Falls has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #689 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Highland Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Highland Falls since 1979, $31K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Highland 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 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 Highland Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highland 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 Highland Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Highland Falls, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $3.8M to the Village of Highland Falls for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $31K.
Is Highland Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Highland Falls’ rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highland Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highland 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.