Bennett Hill Farm · Photo: TrudiJ · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, New Scotland faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Scotland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #273 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). 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 stands out about New Scotland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Scotland 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
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 Scotland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Scotland, and New Scotland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #273 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Scotland’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 Scotland has less expected damage per building than 64% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across New Scotland: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Scotland flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Scotland, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $38K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $3K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $47K
New Scotland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Albany County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Scotland
Disasters that paid out in New Scotland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of New Scotland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the Town of New Scotland for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$832K to the Town of New Scotland for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $38K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$61K to the Town of New Scotland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$15K to the Town of New Scotland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$13K to the Town of New Scotland for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$33K to the Town of New Scotland for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$20K to the Town of New Scotland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
Albany County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe 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 New Scotland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Scotland archive →New Scotland and its neighbors
New Scotland is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guilderland | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Bethlehem | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| New Scotland | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Coeymans | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Westerlo | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Berne | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Scotland 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.
- 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 Scotland
Is New Scotland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Scotland has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #273 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Scotland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in New Scotland since 1978, $200K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% 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 New Scotland 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 Albany County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Scotland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Scotland’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 Scotland?
By FEMA money that reached New Scotland, Hurricane Irene (2011): $832K to the Town of New Scotland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $38K.
Is New Scotland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and New Scotland’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Scotland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Scotland’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.