Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hoosick Falls as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hoosick Falls gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #546 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1999.
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 Hoosick 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 Hoosick Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hoosick Falls, and Hoosick Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #546 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hoosick Falls’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Hoosick Falls has more expected damage per building than 72% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $896K a year in losses across Hoosick Falls: $693K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hoosick Falls flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hoosick Falls, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $81K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $6K
Hoosick 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: Rensselaer County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hoosick Falls
Disasters that paid out in Hoosick Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hoosick Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Village of Hoosick Falls for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene30 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$297K to the Village of Hoosick Falls for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $81K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Village of Hoosick Falls for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Snowstorms$12K to the Village of Hoosick Falls for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Village of Hoosick Falls for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Rensselaer County has had 21 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.
Old photos of Hoosick Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hoosick Falls archive →Get ready for what Hoosick 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 Hoosick Falls
Is Hoosick Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hoosick Falls has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #546 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (6%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hoosick Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Hoosick Falls since 1999, $485K in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Hoosick 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 Rensselaer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hoosick Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hoosick 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 Hoosick Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Hoosick Falls, Hurricane Irene (2011): 30 households applied for aid, $37K approved, and $297K to the Village of Hoosick Falls for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $81K.
Is Hoosick Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Hoosick Falls’ rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hoosick Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hoosick 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.