FEMA puts Kaser’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kaser gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #138 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). 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 Kaser 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 Kaser’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kaser, and Kaser’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A #138 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kaser’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, Kaser has less expected damage per building than 82% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $555K a year in losses across Kaser: $299K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kaser flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Kaser. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Kaser isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockland County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kaser
Disasters that paid out in Kaser itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Kaser), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$17K to the Village of Kaser for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$28K to the Village of Kaser for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the Village of Kaser for repairs
Rockland County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe 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 Kaser after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kaser archive →Get ready for what Kaser 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 Kaser
Is Kaser at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kaser has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #138 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Kaser 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 Rockland County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kaser?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kaser’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 Kaser?
By FEMA money that reached Kaser, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $28K to the Village of Kaser for repairs.
Is Kaser at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Kaser’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kaser.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kaser’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.