Union Hotel · Photo: Doug Kerr from Upstate New York · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Hounsfield’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hounsfield gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #111 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1993.
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 Hounsfield 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
Strong wind
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 Hounsfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hounsfield, and Hounsfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 6% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
A #111 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hounsfield’s residents live in 4 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, Hounsfield has less expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $737K a year in losses across Hounsfield: $621K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hounsfield flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hounsfield, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Hounsfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hounsfield
Disasters that paid out in Hounsfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hounsfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$80K to the Town of Hounsfield for repairs
- 2017Flooding$5K to the Town of Hounsfield for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$9K to the Town of Hounsfield for repairs
- 1999Snow$6K to the Town of Hounsfield for repairs
Jefferson 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 Hounsfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hounsfield archive →Hounsfield and its neighbors
Hounsfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyme | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Hounsfield | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Brownville | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Watertown | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Henderson | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Adams | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Dexter | — | 754 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brownville | — | 700 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Glen Park | — | 624 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hounsfield 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Hounsfield
Is Hounsfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hounsfield has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #111 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and strong wind (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hounsfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hounsfield since 1993, $266K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Hounsfield 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hounsfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hounsfield’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 Hounsfield?
By FEMA money that reached Hounsfield, Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby (2024): $80K to the Town of Hounsfield for repairs.
Is Hounsfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Hounsfield’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hounsfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hounsfield’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.