C. Burton Hotel · Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Neversink faces more hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Neversink gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #631 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1980.
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 Neversink 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 Neversink’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Neversink, and Neversink’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C #631 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Neversink’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, Neversink has more expected damage per building than 83% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Neversink: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Neversink flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Neversink, from FEMA’s records: 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $305K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $18K
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $21K
Neversink 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 Neversink
Disasters that paid out in Neversink itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Neversink), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of Neversink for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy7 households applied for aid$90K to the Town of Neversink for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$493K to the Town of Neversink for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $305K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$550 aid approved$83K to the Town of Neversink for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$316K to the Town of Neversink for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$238K to the Town of Neversink for repairs
Show all 10
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$44K to the Town of Neversink for repairs
- 2003Snow$19K to the Town of Neversink for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$35K to the Town of Neversink for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$155K to the Town of Neversink for repairs1 flood claim 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 Neversink after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Neversink archive →Neversink and its neighbors
Neversink is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Fallsburg | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Neversink | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Wawarsing | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 75 |
| Rockland | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 499 |
| Denning | — | 587 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 Neversink 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 Neversink
Is Neversink at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Neversink has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #631 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Neversink flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Neversink since 1980, $390K in all, or 11.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (9).
Is Neversink 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 Neversink?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Neversink’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 Neversink?
By FEMA money that reached Neversink, Hurricane Irene (2011): 2 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $493K to the Town of Neversink for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 9 paid, $305K.
Is Neversink at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Neversink’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Neversink.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Neversink’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.