On FEMA’s figures, Montgomery faces less hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montgomery gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #365 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Montgomery 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
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 Montgomery’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montgomery, and Montgomery’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #365 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Montgomery’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, Montgomery has less expected damage per building than 52% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $903K a year in losses across Montgomery: $691K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montgomery flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montgomery, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $10K
- Tropical Storm Lee2 claims · $5K
Montgomery isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Montgomery
Disasters that paid out in Montgomery itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Montgomery), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida16 households applied for aid$25K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy13 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$17K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee44 households applied for aid$89K aid approved$22K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $5K
- 2011Hurricane Irene153 households applied for aid$317K aid approved$54K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding15 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$4K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$5K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$5K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs
Orange County has had 25 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 1999–2024.
Old photos of Montgomery after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montgomery archive →Get ready for what Montgomery 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.
- 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 Montgomery
Is Montgomery at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montgomery has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #365 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Montgomery flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Montgomery since 1978, $410K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Montgomery 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 Orange County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Montgomery?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montgomery’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 Montgomery?
By FEMA money that reached Montgomery, Hurricane Irene (2011): 153 households applied for aid, $317K approved, and $54K to the Village of Montgomery for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $10K.
Is Montgomery at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Montgomery’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montgomery.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montgomery’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.