Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Millbrook’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millbrook gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (22%). 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 Millbrook 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 Millbrook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Millbrook, and Millbrook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Millbrook’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $446K a year in losses across Millbrook: $395K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Millbrook flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Millbrook. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Millbrook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dutchess County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Millbrook
Disasters that paid out in Millbrook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Millbrook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida7 households applied for aid$24K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Village of Millbrook for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene21 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$35K to the Village of Millbrook for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding9 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$10K to the Village of Millbrook for repairs
- 2003Snow$4K to the Village of Millbrook for repairs
Dutchess County has had 20 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 Millbrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Millbrook archive →Get ready for what Millbrook 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 Millbrook
Is Millbrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Millbrook has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (22%). 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 Millbrook 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 Dutchess County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Millbrook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Millbrook’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 Millbrook?
By FEMA money that reached Millbrook, Hurricane Irene (2011): 21 households applied for aid, $60K approved, and $35K to the Village of Millbrook for repairs.
Is Millbrook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Millbrook’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Millbrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Millbrook’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.