On FEMA’s figures, Perth faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perth gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #220 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Perth 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.
What’s behind Perth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perth, and Perth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
A #220 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Perth’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Perth has less expected damage per building than 71% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Perth: $816K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perth flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Perth. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Perth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fulton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Perth
Disasters that paid out in Perth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Perth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Town of Perth for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$16K to the Town of Perth for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$10K to the Town of Perth for repairs
Fulton County has had 12 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Perth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Perth archive →Perth and its neighbors
Perth has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Johnstown | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mayfield | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Amsterdam | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Broadalbin | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Perth 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 Perth
Is Perth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perth has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #220 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). 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.
Is Perth 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 Fulton County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Perth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Perth’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 Perth?
By FEMA money that reached Perth, Hurricane Irene (2011): $16K to the Town of Perth for repairs.
Is Perth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Perth’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perth’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.