Photo: Anthony22 (Uploads) · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Patterson faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Patterson gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #130 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Patterson 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 Patterson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Patterson, and Patterson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A #130 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Patterson’s residents live in 3 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, Patterson has less expected damage per building than 83% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Patterson: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Patterson flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Patterson, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding1 claim · $3K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
Patterson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Patterson
Disasters that paid out in Patterson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Patterson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$61K to the Town of Patterson for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$52K to the Town of Patterson for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy20 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$99K to the Town of Patterson for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene31 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$58K to the Town of Patterson for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$96K to the Town of Patterson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Patterson for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$39K to the Town of Patterson for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$86K to the Town of Patterson for repairs
Putnam County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 Patterson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Patterson archive →Patterson and its neighbors
Patterson is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Patterson | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Southeast | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Pawling | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| New Fairfield | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Putnam Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Lake Carmel | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Ball Pond | — | 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 Patterson 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 Patterson
Is Patterson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Patterson has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #130 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Patterson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Patterson since 1979, $23K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (1).
Is Patterson 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 Putnam County, 63% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Patterson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Patterson’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 Patterson?
By FEMA money that reached Patterson, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 20 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $99K to the Town of Patterson for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Patterson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Patterson’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Patterson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Patterson’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.