Photo: JBC3 · Public domainFEMA puts Lake Luzerne’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Luzerne gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #633 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 21 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 Lake Luzerne 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 Luzerne’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Luzerne, and Lake Luzerne’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #633 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lake Luzerne’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, Lake Luzerne has more expected damage per building than 83% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Lake Luzerne: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Luzerne flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Luzerne, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Lake Luzerne 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Luzerne
Disasters that paid out in Lake Luzerne itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lake Luzerne), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$7K to the Town of Lake Luzerne for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene13 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$499K to the Town of Lake Luzerne for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$12K to the Town of Lake Luzerne for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Lake Luzerne for repairs
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 Luzerne after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Luzerne archive →Lake Luzerne and its neighbors
Lake Luzerne is 8th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moreau | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Queensbury | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Lake George | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Corinth | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Warrensburg | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Corinth | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hadley | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| 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 Luzerne 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 Luzerne
Is Lake Luzerne at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Luzerne has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #633 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). 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.
Does Lake Luzerne flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Lake Luzerne since 1979, $817K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Lake Luzerne 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 Luzerne?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Luzerne’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 Luzerne?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Luzerne, Hurricane Irene (2011): 13 households applied for aid, $26K approved, and $499K to the Town of Lake Luzerne for repairs.
Is Lake Luzerne at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Lake Luzerne’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Luzerne.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Luzerne’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.