Photo: UpstateNYer · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Niskayuna faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Niskayuna gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #119 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1996.
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 Niskayuna’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Niskayuna 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 Niskayuna’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Niskayuna, and Niskayuna’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A #119 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Niskayuna’s residents live in 6 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, Niskayuna has less expected damage per building than 84% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Niskayuna: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Niskayuna flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Niskayuna, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $113K
- The April 2007 nor’easter4 claims · $16K
Niskayuna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Schenectady County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Niskayuna
Disasters that paid out in Niskayuna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Niskayuna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$47K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene50 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$181K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $113K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$5K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$644K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$104K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs
- 2003Snow$23K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs
Show all 8
- 2002Snowstorms$72K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs
Schenectady County has had 17 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 Niskayuna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Niskayuna archive →Niskayuna and its neighbors
Niskayuna 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton Park | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Colonie | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Niskayuna | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Glenville | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Schenectady | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| East Glenville | — | 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 Niskayuna 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 Niskayuna
Is Niskayuna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Niskayuna has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #119 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 Niskayuna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Niskayuna since 1996, $393K in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is Niskayuna 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 Schenectady County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Niskayuna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Niskayuna’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 Niskayuna?
By FEMA money that reached Niskayuna, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $644K to the Town of Niskayuna for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $113K.
Is Niskayuna at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Niskayuna’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Niskayuna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Niskayuna’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.