More hazard damage per building is expected in Poestenkill than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poestenkill gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #593 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 11 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 Poestenkill 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 Poestenkill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Poestenkill, and Poestenkill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #593 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Poestenkill’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, Poestenkill has more expected damage per building than 78% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Poestenkill: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Poestenkill flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Poestenkill, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $285K
Poestenkill 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Poestenkill
Disasters that paid out in Poestenkill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Poestenkill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the Town of Poestenkill for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene59 households applied for aid$201K aid approved$443K to the Town of Poestenkill for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $285K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Poestenkill for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$132K to the Town of Poestenkill for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$28K to the Town of Poestenkill 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 Poestenkill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Poestenkill archive →Poestenkill and its neighbors
Poestenkill is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brunswick | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| North Greenbush | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Sand Lake | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Poestenkill | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Berlin | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Sand Lake | — | 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 Poestenkill 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 Poestenkill
Is Poestenkill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poestenkill has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #593 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Poestenkill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Poestenkill since 1981, $321K in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is Poestenkill 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 Poestenkill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Poestenkill’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 Poestenkill?
By FEMA money that reached Poestenkill, Hurricane Irene (2011): 59 households applied for aid, $201K approved, and $443K to the Town of Poestenkill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $285K.
Is Poestenkill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Poestenkill’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Poestenkill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Poestenkill’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.