More hazard damage per building is expected in Mohawk than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mohawk gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #649 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1978.
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 Mohawk 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 Mohawk’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mohawk, and Mohawk’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C #649 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Mohawk’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, Mohawk has more expected damage per building than 86% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Mohawk: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mohawk flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mohawk, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $17K
Mohawk isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mohawk
Disasters that paid out in Mohawk itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mohawk), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$19K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$45K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$37K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$32K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs
Show all 10
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$66K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$1K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$14K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs
Montgomery County has had 19 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 Mohawk after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mohawk archive →Mohawk and its neighbors
Mohawk 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Amsterdam | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Florida | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Palatine | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Johnstown | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Glen | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Root | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Mohawk | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Tribes Hill | — | 959 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fonda | — | 596 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fultonville | — | 678 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 Mohawk 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 Mohawk
Is Mohawk at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mohawk has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #649 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 Mohawk flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Mohawk since 1978, $27K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Mohawk 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 Montgomery County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mohawk?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mohawk’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 Mohawk?
By FEMA money that reached Mohawk, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $66K to the Town of Mohawk for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $17K.
Is Mohawk at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Mohawk’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mohawk.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mohawk’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.