Photo: UpstateNYer · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hoosick 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, Hoosick gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #543 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1986.
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 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hoosick, and Hoosick’s 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− #543 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hoosick’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, Hoosick has more expected damage per building than 72% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Hoosick: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hoosick flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hoosick, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $26K
Hoosick 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hoosick
Disasters that paid out in Hoosick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hoosick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Town of Hoosick for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$61K to the Town of Hoosick for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $26K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Town of Hoosick for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$72K to the Town of Hoosick for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$24K to the Town of Hoosick for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$21K to the Town of Hoosick for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Hoosick for repairs
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hoosick archive →Hoosick and its neighbors
Hoosick is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittstown | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Bennington | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Hoosick | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| White Creek | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Petersburgh | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cambridge | — | not graded yet | |
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 Hoosick 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
Is Hoosick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hoosick has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #543 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hoosick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Hoosick since 1986, $29K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Hoosick 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hoosick’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 Hoosick?
By FEMA money that reached Hoosick, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $72K to the Town of Hoosick for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $26K.
Is Hoosick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Hoosick’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hoosick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hoosick’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.