Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Pine Plains’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Plains gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2007.
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 Pine Plains’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pine Plains 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 Pine Plains’ grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pine Plains, and Pine Plains’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pine Plains’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $841K a year in losses across Pine Plains: $732K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pine Plains flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pine Plains, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Pine Plains 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 Pine Plains
Disasters that paid out in Pine Plains itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pine Plains), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Town of Pine Plains for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Town of Pine Plains for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding6 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$71K to the Town of Pine Plains for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$7K to the Town of Pine Plains 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 Pine Plains after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine Plains archive →Pine Plains and its neighbors
Pine Plains is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pine Plains | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Ancram | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North East | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Stanford | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Gallatin | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Pine Plains 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 Pine Plains
Is Pine Plains at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Plains has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (14%). 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 Pine Plains flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Pine Plains since 2007, $2K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Pine Plains 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 Pine Plains?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine Plains’ 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 Pine Plains?
By FEMA money that reached Pine Plains, Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding (2007): 6 households applied for aid, $15K approved, and $71K to the Town of Pine Plains for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Pine Plains at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Pine Plains’ rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine Plains.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine Plains’ 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.