Photo: Tim1337 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Kent than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kent gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #72 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Kent 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
Earthquakes
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 Kent’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kent, and Kent’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #72 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kent’s residents live in 3 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, Kent has less expected damage per building than 91% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Kent: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kent flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kent, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding3 claims · $73K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $3K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $897
Kent isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kent
Disasters that paid out in Kent itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kent), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$1.1M to the Town of Kent for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$1.0M to the Town of Kent for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$261K to the Town of Kent for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$176K to the Town of Kent for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$47K to the Town of Kent for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $3K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$26K to the Town of Kent for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$46K to the Town of Kent for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$157K to the Town of Kent for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $897
Putnam County has had 20 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 Kent after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kent archive →Kent and its neighbors
Kent has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Carmel | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Patterson | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Pawling | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Putnam Valley | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Philipstown | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| East Fishkill | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 120 |
| Lake Carmel | — | 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 Kent 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Kent
Is Kent at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kent has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #72 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kent flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Kent since 1979, $126K in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (3).
Is Kent 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 Putnam County, 63% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kent?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kent’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 Kent?
By FEMA money that reached Kent, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $1.1M to the Town of Kent for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 3 paid, $73K.
Is Kent at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Kent’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kent.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kent’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.