Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hudson Falls faces less hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudson Falls gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #167 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hudson 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
Earthquakes
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 Hudson Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hudson Falls, and Hudson Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A #167 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hudson 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, Hudson Falls has less expected damage per building than 78% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Hudson Falls: $704K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hudson Falls flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hudson Falls. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hudson 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: Washington County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hudson Falls
Disasters that paid out in Hudson Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Hudson Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Washington County has had 9 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 Hudson Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hudson Falls archive →Hudson Falls and its neighbors
Hudson Falls 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moreau | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Kingsbury | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hudson Falls | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Queensbury | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Fort Edward | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Hudson 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Hudson Falls
Is Hudson Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hudson Falls has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #167 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hudson 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 Washington County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hudson Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hudson 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 Hudson Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Hudson Falls, Hurricane Irene (2011): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Hudson Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Hudson Falls’ rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hudson Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hudson 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.