Photo: Rolf Müller (User:Rolfmueller) · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Rhinebeck faces less hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rhinebeck gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #222 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1999.
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 Rhinebeck 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
Earthquakes
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 Rhinebeck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rhinebeck, and Rhinebeck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
A #222 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rhinebeck’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Rhinebeck has less expected damage per building than 71% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $771K a year in losses across Rhinebeck: $689K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rhinebeck flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rhinebeck, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $34K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $4K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $54K
Rhinebeck 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 Rhinebeck
Disasters that paid out in Rhinebeck itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Rhinebeck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Village of Rhinebeck for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene69 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$285K to the Village of Rhinebeck for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $34K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Village of Rhinebeck for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$20K to the Village of Rhinebeck for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Village of Rhinebeck 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 Rhinebeck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rhinebeck archive →Get ready for what Rhinebeck 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Rhinebeck
Is Rhinebeck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rhinebeck has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #222 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (12%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rhinebeck flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Rhinebeck since 1999, $96K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Rhinebeck 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 Rhinebeck?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rhinebeck’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 Rhinebeck?
By FEMA money that reached Rhinebeck, Hurricane Irene (2011): 69 households applied for aid, $108K approved, and $285K to the Village of Rhinebeck for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $34K.
Is Rhinebeck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Rhinebeck’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rhinebeck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rhinebeck’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.