Photo: JBC3 · Public domainFEMA puts Queensbury’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Queensbury gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #276 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Queensbury’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Queensbury 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 Queensbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Queensbury, and Queensbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #276 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Queensbury’s residents live in 8 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, Queensbury has less expected damage per building than 64% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.9M a year in losses across Queensbury: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Queensbury flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Queensbury, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter7 claims · $38K
- Hurricane Sandy5 claims · $555K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $4K
Queensbury isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Queensbury
Disasters that paid out in Queensbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Queensbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene24 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$90K to the Town of Queensbury for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $20K
Warren County has had 13 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 Queensbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Queensbury archive →Queensbury and its neighbors
Queensbury is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moreau | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Kingsbury | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hudson Falls | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Glens Falls | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Queensbury | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Lake George | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Fort Ann | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Bolton | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Lake Luzerne | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| West Glens Falls | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Glens Falls North | — | 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 Queensbury 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 Queensbury
Is Queensbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Queensbury has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #276 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Queensbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Queensbury since 1979, $670K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (7).
Is Queensbury 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 Warren County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Queensbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Queensbury’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 Queensbury?
By FEMA money that reached Queensbury, Hurricane Irene (2011): 24 households applied for aid, $10K approved, and $90K to the Town of Queensbury for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 7 paid, $38K.
Is Queensbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Queensbury’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Queensbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Queensbury’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.