Valcour Bay · Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Peru as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peru gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #583 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1996.
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 Peru 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
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 Peru’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Peru, and Peru’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #583 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Peru’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, Peru has more expected damage per building than 77% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Peru: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Peru flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Peru, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Peru isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinton County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Peru
Disasters that paid out in Peru itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Peru), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Town of Peru for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene28 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$653K to the Town of Peru for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$111K to the Town of Peru for repairs
Clinton County has had 13 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 Peru after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Peru archive →Peru and its neighbors
Peru is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Hero | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Plattsburgh | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Peru | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Black Brook | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Saranac | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Au Sable | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Schuyler Falls | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
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 Peru 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.
- 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 Peru
Is Peru at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Peru has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #583 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Peru flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Peru since 1996, $424K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Peru 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 Clinton County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Peru?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Peru’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 Peru?
By FEMA money that reached Peru, Hurricane Irene (2011): 28 households applied for aid, $35K approved, and $653K to the Town of Peru for repairs.
Is Peru at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Peru’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Peru.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Peru’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.