Sternbergh House · Photo: Alanaquinn1 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Knox’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knox gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #220 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). 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 Knox 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 Knox’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Knox, and Knox’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #220 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Knox’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Knox has less expected damage per building than 71% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $545K a year in losses across Knox: $422K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Knox flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Knox. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Knox isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Albany County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Knox
Disasters that paid out in Knox itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Knox), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Knox for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$615K to the Town of Knox for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$70K to the Town of Knox for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$79K to the Town of Knox for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Town of Knox for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$11K to the Town of Knox for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$47K to the Town of Knox for repairs
Albany County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Knox after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Knox archive →Knox and its neighbors
Knox 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilderland | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Duanesburg | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Knox | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Berne | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wright | C−more damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Knox 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 Knox
Is Knox at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knox has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #220 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (7%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Knox 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 Albany County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Knox?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Knox’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 Knox?
By FEMA money that reached Knox, Hurricane Irene (2011): 5 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $615K to the Town of Knox for repairs.
Is Knox at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Knox’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Knox.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Knox’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.