MOHICAN II (steamboat) · Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Lake George’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake George gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #308 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2005.
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 Lake George 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
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 Lake George’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake George, and Lake George’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #308 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake George’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, Lake George has less expected damage per building than 59% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Lake George: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake George flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake George, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $31K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $7K
Lake George isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake George
Disasters that paid out in Lake George itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lake George), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$21K to the Town of Lake George for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$60K to the Town of Lake George for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Warren County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Lake George after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake George archive →Lake George and its neighbors
Lake George is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queensbury | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Lake George | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Bolton | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Warrensburg | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lake Luzerne | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Lake George 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.
- 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 Lake George
Is Lake George at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake George has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #308 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake George flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Lake George since 2005, $55K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Lake George 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 Warren County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Lake George?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake George’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 Lake George?
By FEMA money that reached Lake George, Hurricane Irene (2011): $60K to the Town of Lake George for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $31K.
Is Lake George at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Lake George’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake George.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake George’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.