On FEMA’s figures, Hilton faces less hazard damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hilton gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #25 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1989.
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 Hilton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hilton 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 Hilton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hilton, and Hilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #25 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hilton’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, Hilton has less expected damage per building than 97% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $770K a year in losses across Hilton: $506K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hilton flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hilton, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Monroe County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hilton
Disasters that paid out in Hilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$83K aid approved$3K to the Village of Hilton for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm58 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$65K to the Village of Hilton for repairs
- 1999Snow$4K to the Village of Hilton for repairs
Monroe County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Hilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hilton archive →Get ready for what Hilton 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 Hilton
Is Hilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hilton has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #25 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Hilton since 1989, $436K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hilton 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 Monroe County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hilton’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 Hilton?
By FEMA money that reached Hilton, Ice Storm (2003): 58 households applied for aid, $50K approved, and $65K to the Village of Hilton for repairs.
Is Hilton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Hilton’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hilton’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.