Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Plattekill than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plattekill gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #281 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2005.
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 Plattekill 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 Plattekill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plattekill, and Plattekill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #281 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Plattekill’s residents live in 2 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, Plattekill has less expected damage per building than 63% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Plattekill: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plattekill flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plattekill, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $26K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $29K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $48K
Plattekill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ulster County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plattekill
Disasters that paid out in Plattekill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Plattekill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1 households applied for aid$13K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$27K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene17 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$101K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $48K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$40K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2003Snow$14K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$26K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$12K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs
Ulster County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Plattekill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plattekill archive →Plattekill and its neighbors
Plattekill is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marlborough | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Plattekill | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Shawangunk | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lloyd | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Gardiner | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Newburgh | — | not graded yet | |
| Clintondale | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Plattekill 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 Plattekill
Is Plattekill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plattekill has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #281 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Plattekill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Plattekill since 2005, $133K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (2).
Is Plattekill 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 Ulster County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Plattekill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plattekill’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 Plattekill?
By FEMA money that reached Plattekill, Hurricane Irene (2011): 17 households applied for aid, $24K approved, and $101K to the Town of Plattekill for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 2 paid, $26K.
Is Plattekill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Plattekill’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plattekill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plattekill’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.