FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Pawling than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pawling gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1987.
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 Pawling’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pawling 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
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 Pawling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pawling, and Pawling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pawling’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $706K a year in losses across Pawling: $624K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pawling flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pawling, from FEMA’s records: 24.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding6 claims · $623K
- Hurricane Ida4 claims · $298K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $800K
Pawling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dutchess County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pawling
Disasters that paid out in Pawling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pawling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida17 households applied for aid$35K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $298K
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the Village of Pawling for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene9 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$70K to the Village of Pawling for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $183K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$26K to the Village of Pawling for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$6K to the Village of Pawling for repairs
Dutchess County has had 20 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 Pawling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pawling archive →Get ready for what Pawling 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.
- 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 Pawling
Is Pawling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pawling has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (18%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pawling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Pawling since 1987, $2.9M in all, or 24.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (6).
Is Pawling 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 Dutchess County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pawling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pawling’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 Pawling?
By FEMA money that reached Pawling, Hurricane Irene (2011): 9 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $70K to the Village of Pawling for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 6 paid, $623K.
Is Pawling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Pawling’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pawling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pawling’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.