Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Hyde Park than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hyde Park gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #441 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 31 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 stands out about Hyde Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hyde Park 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 Hyde Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hyde Park, and Hyde Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B #441 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hyde Park’s residents live in 5 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, Hyde Park has more expected damage per building than 58% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Hyde Park: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hyde Park flood? Sometimes: 31 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hyde Park, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $227K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $10K
- The December nor’easter2 claims · $51K
Hyde Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dutchess County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hyde Park
Disasters that paid out in Hyde Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hyde Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida21 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$52K to the Town of Hyde Park for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene253 households applied for aid$673K aid approved$234K to the Town of Hyde Park for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $227K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$45K to the Town of Hyde Park for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding33 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$38K to the Town of Hyde Park for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Hyde Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Dutchess County has had 20 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 Hyde Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hyde Park archive →Hyde Park and its neighbors
Hyde Park is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esopus | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Rhinebeck | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Poughkeepsie | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Lloyd | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Hyde Park | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Clinton | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Pleasant Valley | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Highland | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Hyde Park 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 Hyde Park
Is Hyde Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hyde Park has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #441 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hyde Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 31 claims in Hyde Park since 1979, $452K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (10).
Is Hyde Park 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 Dutchess County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hyde Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hyde Park’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 Hyde Park?
By FEMA money that reached Hyde Park, Hurricane Irene (2011): 253 households applied for aid, $673K approved, and $234K to the Town of Hyde Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 10 paid, $227K.
Is Hyde Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Hyde Park’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hyde Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hyde Park’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.