On FEMA’s figures, Sackets Harbor faces less hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sackets Harbor gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1982.
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 Sackets Harbor 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
Strong wind
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 Sackets Harbor’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sackets Harbor, and Sackets Harbor’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is strong wind at 6% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sackets Harbor’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $313K a year in losses across Sackets Harbor: $264K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sackets Harbor flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sackets Harbor, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Sackets Harbor isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sackets Harbor
Disasters that paid out in Sackets Harbor itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sackets Harbor), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding$264K to the Village of Sackets Harbor for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Snow$4K to the Village of Sackets Harbor for repairs
Jefferson County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Sackets Harbor after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sackets Harbor archive →Get ready for what Sackets Harbor 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Sackets Harbor
Is Sackets Harbor at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sackets Harbor has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and strong wind (6%). 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 Sackets Harbor flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Sackets Harbor since 1982, $17K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Sackets Harbor 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sackets Harbor?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sackets Harbor’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 Sackets Harbor?
By FEMA money that reached Sackets Harbor, Flooding (2017): $264K to the Village of Sackets Harbor for repairs.
Is Sackets Harbor at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Sackets Harbor’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sackets Harbor.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sackets Harbor’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.