Storms, floods and disasters in Poland
Poland isn’t graded for hazard risk: Poland has 449 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2019.
What Poland 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.
Does Poland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Poland, from FEMA’s records.
Poland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Herkimer County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Poland
Disasters that paid out in Poland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Poland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the Village of Poland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
Herkimer County has had 18 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 Poland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Poland archive →Poland and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | B−less damage than 53% | 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 Poland 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 Poland
Does Poland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Poland since 2019, $64K in all.
Is Poland 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 Herkimer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Poland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Poland’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 Poland?
By FEMA money that reached Poland, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): 23 households applied for aid, $46K approved.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Poland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Poland’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.