Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Pittstown as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittstown gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #493 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
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 Pittstown 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 Pittstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pittstown, and Pittstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #493 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pittstown’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, Pittstown has more expected damage per building than 65% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Pittstown: $985K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pittstown flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pittstown, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $25K
Pittstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rensselaer County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pittstown
Disasters that paid out in Pittstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pittstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Town of Pittstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene$106K to the Town of Pittstown for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $25K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Town of Pittstown for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$132K to the Town of Pittstown for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Pittstown for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$27K to the Town of Pittstown for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$36K to the Town of Pittstown for repairs
Rensselaer County has had 21 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 Pittstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pittstown archive →Pittstown and its neighbors
Pittstown is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brunswick | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Pittstown | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Hoosick | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Schaghticoke | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Cambridge | — | not graded yet | |
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 Pittstown 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 Pittstown
Is Pittstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittstown has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #493 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 Pittstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Pittstown since 1998, $49K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Pittstown 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 Rensselaer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pittstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pittstown’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 Pittstown?
By FEMA money that reached Pittstown, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $132K to the Town of Pittstown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $25K.
Is Pittstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Pittstown’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pittstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pittstown’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.