Binnewater Historic District · Photo: West Shore Railroad · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Rosendale faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosendale gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #498 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 Rosendale 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 Rosendale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rosendale, and Rosendale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #498 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rosendale’s residents live in 2 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, Rosendale has more expected damage per building than 66% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Rosendale: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rosendale flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rosendale, from FEMA’s records: 12.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene21 claims · $594K
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $153K
Rosendale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Ulster County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rosendale
Disasters that paid out in Rosendale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rosendale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Town of Rosendale for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene43 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$36K to the Town of Rosendale for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $594K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding1 households applied for aid$22K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$15K to the Town of Rosendale for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$23K to the Town of Rosendale for repairs
Ulster County has had 28 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 Rosendale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rosendale archive →Rosendale and its neighbors
Rosendale is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurley | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| New Paltz | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Esopus | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Marbletown | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Ulster | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 178 |
| Rosendale | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
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 Rosendale 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 Rosendale
Is Rosendale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rosendale has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #498 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rosendale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Rosendale since 1979, $771K in all, or 12.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (21).
Is Rosendale 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 Ulster County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rosendale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rosendale’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 Rosendale?
By FEMA money that reached Rosendale, Hurricane Irene (2011): 43 households applied for aid, $58K approved, and $36K to the Town of Rosendale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 21 paid, $594K.
Is Rosendale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Rosendale’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rosendale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rosendale’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.