Photo: Tyler A. McNeil · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts North Greenbush’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Greenbush gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #323 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1986.
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 Greenbush 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 North Greenbush’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Greenbush, and North Greenbush’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #323 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Greenbush’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 Greenbush has less expected damage per building than 57% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across North Greenbush: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Greenbush flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Greenbush, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $108K
North Greenbush isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rensselaer County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Greenbush
Disasters that paid out in North Greenbush itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Greenbush), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Town of North Greenbush for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$146K to the Town of North Greenbush for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $108K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of North Greenbush for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$244K to the Town of North Greenbush for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to the Town of North Greenbush for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$38K to the Town of North Greenbush for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to the Town of North Greenbush for repairs
Rensselaer County has had 21 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 Greenbush after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Greenbush archive →North Greenbush and its neighbors
North Greenbush is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonie | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Menands | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| East Greenbush | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Brunswick | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North Greenbush | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Sand Lake | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Rensselaer | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Poestenkill | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Troy | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 129 |
| Wynantskill | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| West Sand Lake | — | 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 North Greenbush 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 North Greenbush
Is North Greenbush at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Greenbush has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #323 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Greenbush flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in North Greenbush since 1986, $213K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is North Greenbush 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 Rensselaer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in North Greenbush?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Greenbush’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 Greenbush?
By FEMA money that reached North Greenbush, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $244K to the Town of North Greenbush for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $108K.
Is North Greenbush at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and North Greenbush’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Greenbush.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Greenbush’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.