Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Red Hook faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Hook gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #321 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1996.
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 Red Hook 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 Red Hook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Red Hook, and Red Hook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #321 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Red Hook’s residents live in 4 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, Red Hook has less expected damage per building than 58% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Red Hook: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Red Hook flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Red Hook, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $216K
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $133K
Red Hook 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Red Hook
Disasters that paid out in Red Hook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Red Hook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Town of Red Hook for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$103K to the Town of Red Hook for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $216K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Red Hook for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$19K to the Town of Red Hook for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Red Hook 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 Red Hook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Red Hook archive →Red Hook and its neighbors
Red Hook is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhinebeck | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Red Hook | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Ulster | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 178 |
| Milan | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Clermont | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Saugerties | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Saugerties | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Glasco | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Saugerties South | — | 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 Red Hook 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 Red Hook
Is Red Hook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Red Hook has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #321 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Red Hook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Red Hook since 1996, $384K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (9).
Is Red Hook 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 Red Hook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Red Hook’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 Red Hook?
By FEMA money that reached Red Hook, Hurricane Irene (2011): $103K to the Town of Red Hook for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 9 paid, $216K.
Is Red Hook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Red Hook’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Red Hook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Red Hook’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.