Photo: P199 · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Liberty than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Liberty gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #188 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 2000.
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 Liberty 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 Liberty’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Liberty, and Liberty’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #188 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Liberty’s residents live in 4 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, Liberty has less expected damage per building than 75% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Liberty: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Liberty flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Liberty, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $23K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $1K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $17K
Liberty isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sullivan County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Liberty
Disasters that paid out in Liberty itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Liberty), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of Liberty for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$74K to the Town of Liberty for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene$44K to the Town of Liberty for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$544K to the Town of Liberty for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$173K to the Town of Liberty for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$21K to the Town of Liberty for repairs
Show all 10
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$332K to the Town of Liberty for repairs
- 2003Snow$37K to the Town of Liberty for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$48K to the Town of Liberty for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Liberty for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Sullivan County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Liberty after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Liberty archive →Liberty and its neighbors
Liberty has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Bethel | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Fallsburg | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Neversink | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Callicoon | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Rockland | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 499 |
| Swan Lake | — | 161 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Liberty 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 Liberty
Is Liberty at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Liberty has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #188 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Liberty flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Liberty since 2000, $136K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Liberty 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 Sullivan County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Liberty?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Liberty’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 Liberty?
By FEMA money that reached Liberty, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $544K to the Town of Liberty for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $23K.
Is Liberty at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Liberty’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Liberty.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Liberty’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.