Photo: P199 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Malone than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malone gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #402 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then earthquakes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1984.
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 stands out about Malone’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Malone 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
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 Malone’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Malone, and Malone’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #402 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Malone’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, Malone has more expected damage per building than 53% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Malone: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Malone flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Malone, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Malone isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Malone
Disasters that paid out in Malone itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Malone), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$22K to the Village of Malone for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Village of Malone for repairs
Franklin County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Malone after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Malone archive →Get ready for what Malone 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.
- 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 Malone
Is Malone at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Malone has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #402 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Malone flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Malone since 1984, $13K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Malone 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 Franklin County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Malone?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Malone’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 Malone?
By FEMA money that reached Malone, Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby (2024): $22K to the Village of Malone for repairs.
Is Malone at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Malone’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Malone.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Malone’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.