Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Putnam Valley’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Putnam Valley gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #421 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 70 claims here since 1979.
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 Putnam Valley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Putnam 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 Putnam Valley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Putnam Valley, and Putnam Valley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
B #421 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Putnam 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, Putnam Valley has more expected damage per building than 55% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Putnam Valley: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Putnam Valley flood? Sometimes: 70 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Putnam Valley, from FEMA’s records: 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $332K
- The Vermont/New York Flooding9 claims · $576K
- Hurricane Floyd8 claims · $61K
Putnam 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: Putnam County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Putnam Valley
Disasters that paid out in Putnam Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Putnam Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$4.4M to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$121K to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy34 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$136K to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $457K
- 2011Hurricane Irene48 households applied for aid$111K aid approved$93K to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $332K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$266K to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$103K to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$61K to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$120K to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $61K
Putnam County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe 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 Putnam Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Putnam Valley archive →Putnam Valley and its neighbors
Putnam Valley is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Carmel | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Putnam Valley | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Philipstown | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
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 Putnam 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 Putnam Valley
Is Putnam Valley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Putnam Valley has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #421 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Putnam Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 70 claims in Putnam Valley since 1979, $1.9M in all, or 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (10).
Is Putnam 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 Putnam County, 63% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Putnam Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Putnam 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 Putnam Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Putnam Valley, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $4.4M to the Town of Putnam Valley for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 10 paid, $332K.
Is Putnam Valley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Putnam Valley’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Putnam Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Putnam 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.