Photo: Julia Manzerova · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hunter than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hunter gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #656 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1979.
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 Hunter 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 Hunter’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hunter, and Hunter’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #656 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hunter’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, Hunter has more expected damage per building than 87% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Hunter: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hunter flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hunter, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $177K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $13K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $7K
Hunter isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hunter
Disasters that paid out in Hunter itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hunter), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Hunter for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$65K to the Town of Hunter for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene$1.1M to the Town of Hunter for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $177K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$40K to the Town of Hunter for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$14K to the Town of Hunter for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$18K to the Town of Hunter for repairs
Show all 11
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to the Town of Hunter for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$261K to the Town of Hunter for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$12K to the Town of Hunter for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$27K to the Town of Hunter for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$40K to the Town of Hunter for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
Greene County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Hunter after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hunter archive →Hunter and its neighbors
Hunter is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catskill | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 91 |
| Cairo | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Woodstock | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Hunter | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Shandaken | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 214 |
| Jewett | — | not graded yet | |
| Palenville | — | 870 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lexington | — | 763 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 Hunter 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 Hunter
Is Hunter at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hunter has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #656 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hunter flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Hunter since 1979, $308K in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Hunter 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 Greene County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hunter?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hunter’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 Hunter?
By FEMA money that reached Hunter, Hurricane Irene (2011): $1.1M to the Town of Hunter for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $177K.
Is Hunter at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Hunter’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hunter.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hunter’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.