Photo: Mwanner at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Saranac Lake as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saranac Lake gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #575 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1986.
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 Saranac Lake 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
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 Saranac Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saranac Lake, and Saranac Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #575 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saranac Lake’s residents live in 5 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, Saranac Lake has more expected damage per building than 76% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Saranac Lake: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saranac Lake flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saranac Lake, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Saranac Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saranac Lake
Disasters that paid out in Saranac Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Saranac Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Village of Saranac Lake for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$3.3M to the Village of Saranac Lake for repairs
Franklin County has had 14 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 Saranac Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saranac Lake archive →Saranac Lake and its neighbors
Saranac Lake is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Elba | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Saranac Lake | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Harrietstown | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| St. Armand | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Saranac Lake 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.
- 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 Saranac Lake
Is Saranac Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saranac Lake has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #575 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saranac Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Saranac Lake since 1986, $10K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Saranac Lake 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 Franklin County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Saranac Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saranac Lake’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 Saranac Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Saranac Lake, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $3.3M to the Village of Saranac Lake for repairs.
Is Saranac Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Saranac Lake’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saranac Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saranac Lake’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.