Jean Hasbrouck House · Photo: The original uploader was Daniel Case at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in New Paltz than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Paltz gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #246 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 49 claims here since 1979.
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 New Paltz’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Paltz 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 New Paltz’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Paltz, and New Paltz’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #246 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Paltz’s residents live in 3 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, New Paltz has less expected damage per building than 68% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across New Paltz: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Paltz flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Paltz, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene25 claims · $721K
- The April 2007 nor’easter9 claims · $226K
- The Torrential rain4 claims · $37K
New Paltz isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ulster County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Paltz
Disasters that paid out in New Paltz itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Paltz), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Town of New Paltz for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$55K to the Town of New Paltz for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $721K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$39K to the Town of New Paltz for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$16K to the Town of New Paltz for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$26K to the Town of New Paltz for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3K to the Town of New Paltz for repairs
Ulster County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of New Paltz after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Paltz archive →New Paltz and its neighbors
New Paltz has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Paltz | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Esopus | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Marbletown | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Lloyd | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Rochester | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Rosendale | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Gardiner | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
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 New Paltz 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 New Paltz
Is New Paltz at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Paltz has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #246 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Paltz flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in New Paltz since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (25).
Is New Paltz 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 Ulster County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Paltz?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Paltz’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 New Paltz?
By FEMA money that reached New Paltz, Hurricane Irene (2011): $55K to the Town of New Paltz for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 25 paid, $721K.
Is New Paltz at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and New Paltz’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Paltz.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Paltz’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.