Photo: Juliancolton · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Poughkeepsie than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poughkeepsie gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #363 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Poughkeepsie’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Poughkeepsie 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 Poughkeepsie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Poughkeepsie, and Poughkeepsie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #363 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Poughkeepsie’s residents live in 12 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, Poughkeepsie has less expected damage per building than 52% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.5M a year in losses across Poughkeepsie: $10.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Poughkeepsie flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Poughkeepsie, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $667K
- Hurricane Ida8 claims · $88K
- The April 2007 nor’easter7 claims · $102K
Poughkeepsie 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 Poughkeepsie
Disasters that paid out in Poughkeepsie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Poughkeepsie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$157K to the Town of Poughkeepsie for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $88K
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$89K to the Town of Poughkeepsie for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$152K to the Town of Poughkeepsie for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $667K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$61K to the Town of Poughkeepsie for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$228K to the Town of Poughkeepsie for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$353K to the Town of Poughkeepsie for repairs
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 Poughkeepsie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Poughkeepsie archive →Poughkeepsie and its neighbors
Poughkeepsie is 2nd of the 8 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 |
| Poughkeepsie | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Lloyd | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Wappinger | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Hyde Park | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| LaGrange | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Poughkeepsie | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Pleasant Valley | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Red Oaks Mill | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| New Hamburg | — | 740 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fairview | — | 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 Poughkeepsie 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 Poughkeepsie
Is Poughkeepsie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Poughkeepsie has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #363 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Poughkeepsie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Poughkeepsie since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (12).
Is Poughkeepsie 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 Poughkeepsie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Poughkeepsie’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 Poughkeepsie?
By FEMA money that reached Poughkeepsie, Severe Storms and Flooding (2000): $353K to the Town of Poughkeepsie for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 12 paid, $667K.
Is Poughkeepsie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Poughkeepsie’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Poughkeepsie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Poughkeepsie’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.