Photo: Hayden Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in North Hudson
North Hudson isn’t graded for hazard risk: North Hudson has 208 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1985.
What North Hudson 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
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.
Does North Hudson flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Hudson, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $37K
North Hudson 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Hudson
Disasters that paid out in North Hudson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Hudson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$31K to the Town of North Hudson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Town of North Hudson for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene8 households applied for aid$31K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $37K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$36K to the Town of North Hudson for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the Town of North Hudson 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 Hudson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Hudson archive →North Hudson and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schroon | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Moriah | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Keene | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Elizabethtown | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Crown Point | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Minerva | — | 836 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| 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 Hudson 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.
- 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 Hudson
Does North Hudson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in North Hudson since 1985, $116K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is North Hudson 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 Hudson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Hudson’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 Hudson?
By FEMA money that reached North Hudson, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): $36K to the Town of North Hudson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $37K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Hudson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Hudson’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.