Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Pleasant Valley than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pleasant Valley gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #642 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 47 claims here since 1981.
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 Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pleasant Valley, and Pleasant Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C #642 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pleasant Valley’s residents live in 3 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, Pleasant Valley has more expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Pleasant Valley: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pleasant Valley flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pleasant Valley, from FEMA’s records: 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter15 claims · $686K
- Hurricane Irene14 claims · $454K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $11K
Pleasant Valley 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pleasant Valley
Disasters that paid out in Pleasant Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pleasant Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida20 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$46K to the Town of Pleasant Valley for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene83 households applied for aid$170K aid approved$163K to the Town of Pleasant Valley for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $454K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Pleasant Valley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding33 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$133K to the Town of Pleasant Valley for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$30K to the Town of Pleasant Valley for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
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 Pleasant Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pleasant Valley archive →Pleasant Valley and its neighbors
Pleasant Valley is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Poughkeepsie | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Hyde Park | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| LaGrange | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Clinton | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Pleasant Valley | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Salt Point | — | 322 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley
Is Pleasant Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pleasant Valley has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #642 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pleasant Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Pleasant Valley since 1981, $1.3M in all, or 11.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (15).
Is Pleasant Valley 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 Pleasant Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pleasant Valley’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 Pleasant Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Pleasant Valley, Hurricane Irene (2011): 83 households applied for aid, $170K approved, and $163K to the Town of Pleasant Valley for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 15 paid, $686K.
Is Pleasant Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Pleasant Valley’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pleasant Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pleasant Valley’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.