FEMA puts Saranac’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saranac gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #650 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Saranac 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
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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saranac, and Saranac’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #650 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saranac’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, Saranac has more expected damage per building than 86% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Saranac: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saranac flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saranac, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Saranac isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Clinton County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saranac
Disasters that paid out in Saranac itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Saranac), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$526K to the Town of Saranac for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Saranac for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$689K to the Town of Saranac for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene19 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$119K to the Town of Saranac for repairs
Clinton County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saranac archive →Saranac and its neighbors
Saranac is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Plattsburgh | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Dannemora | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Peru | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Bellmont | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Black Brook | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| Saranac | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Schuyler Falls | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Cadyville | — | 479 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Redford | — | 340 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 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.
- 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
Is Saranac at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saranac has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #650 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saranac flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Saranac since 1996, $46K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Saranac 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 Clinton County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Saranac?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saranac’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?
By FEMA money that reached Saranac, Severe Storms and Flooding (2013): $689K to the Town of Saranac for repairs.
Is Saranac at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Saranac’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saranac.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saranac’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.