FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in New Paltz than in 88% 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 88% of U.S. towns, #202 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1987.
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
Tornadoes
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 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Paltz, and New Paltz’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #202 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Paltz’s residents live in 2 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 73% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across New Paltz: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Paltz flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Paltz, from FEMA’s records: 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $690K
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $274K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $44K
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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Paltz
Disasters that paid out in New Paltz itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Paltz), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Village of New Paltz for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee20 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene293 households applied for aid$828K aid approved$178K to the Village of New Paltz for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $690K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding26 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$28K to the Village of New Paltz for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$40K to the Village of New Paltz for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$6K to the Village of New Paltz for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$14K to the Village 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 →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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #202 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Paltz flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in New Paltz since 1987, $1.0M in all, or 3.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
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): 293 households applied for aid, $828K approved, and $178K to the Village of New Paltz for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $690K.
Is New Paltz at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and New Paltz’s rate for it is lower than 76% 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.