Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Newburgh faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newburgh gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #550 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Newburgh 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 Newburgh’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newburgh, and Newburgh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #550 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newburgh’s residents live in 8 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, Newburgh has more expected damage per building than 73% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Newburgh: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Newburgh flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newburgh, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene15 claims · $262K
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $3K
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $47K
Newburgh 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newburgh
Disasters that paid out in Newburgh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newburgh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$573K to the City of Newburgh for repairs
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida141 households applied for aid$303K aid approved$100K to the City of Newburgh for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $47K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy53 households applied for aid$41K aid approved$85K to the City of Newburgh for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $17K
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee39 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$223K to the City of Newburgh for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene413 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$93K to the City of Newburgh for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $262K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding51 households applied for aid$48K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Snow$32K to the City of Newburgh for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$21K to the City of Newburgh for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$10K to the City of Newburgh 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 Newburgh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newburgh archive →Newburgh and its neighbors
Newburgh is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Windsor | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Fishkill | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| Newburgh | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Newburgh | — | not graded yet | |
| Gardnertown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Balmville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Newburgh 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 Newburgh
Is Newburgh at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newburgh has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #550 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newburgh flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Newburgh since 1980, $382K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (15).
Is Newburgh 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 Newburgh?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newburgh’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 Newburgh?
By FEMA money that reached Newburgh, Hurricane Irene (2011): 413 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $93K to the City of Newburgh for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 15 paid, $262K.
Is Newburgh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Newburgh’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newburgh.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newburgh’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.