Photo: Bala Subs · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in North Elba than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Elba gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #349 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 North Elba 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
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 North Elba’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Elba, and North Elba’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #349 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Elba’s residents live in 4 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, North Elba has less expected damage per building than 54% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across North Elba: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Elba flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Elba, from FEMA’s records: 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $192K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $22K
North Elba isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Elba
Disasters that paid out in North Elba itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Elba), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Town of North Elba for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$54K to the Town of North Elba for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$149K to the Town of North Elba for repairs
Essex County has had 19 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.
Old photos of North Elba after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Elba archive →North Elba and its neighbors
North Elba has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Elba | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Saranac Lake | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Harrietstown | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Keene | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| St. Armand | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Wilmington | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Newcomb | — | 490 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 North Elba 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.
- 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 North Elba
Is North Elba at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Elba has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #349 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Elba flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in North Elba since 1979, $258K in all, or 2.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is North Elba 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 Essex County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Elba?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Elba’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 North Elba?
By FEMA money that reached North Elba, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): $149K to the Town of North Elba for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $192K.
Is North Elba at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and North Elba’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Elba.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Elba’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.