Photo: UpstateNYer · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Saratoga Springs’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saratoga Springs gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #207 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1980.
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 Saratoga Springs 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 Saratoga Springs’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saratoga Springs, and Saratoga Springs’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A #207 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saratoga Springs’ residents live in 10 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, Saratoga Springs has less expected damage per building than 73% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.7M a year in losses across Saratoga Springs: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saratoga Springs flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saratoga Springs, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $57K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $5K
Saratoga Springs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saratoga County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saratoga Springs
Disasters that paid out in Saratoga Springs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Saratoga Springs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene27 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$30K to the City of Saratoga Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$54K to the City of Saratoga Springs for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Snowstorms$47K to the City of Saratoga Springs for repairs
Saratoga County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe 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 Saratoga Springs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saratoga Springs archive →Saratoga Springs and its neighbors
Saratoga Springs is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Wilton | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Saratoga Springs | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Greenfield | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Milton | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Saratoga | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
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 Saratoga Springs 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 Saratoga Springs
Is Saratoga Springs at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saratoga Springs has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #207 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saratoga Springs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Saratoga Springs since 1980, $93K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Lee (1).
Is Saratoga Springs 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 Saratoga County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Saratoga Springs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saratoga Springs’ 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 Saratoga Springs?
By FEMA money that reached Saratoga Springs, Hurricane Irene (2011): 27 households applied for aid, $39K approved, and $30K to the City of Saratoga Springs for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Lee: 1 paid, $57K.
Is Saratoga Springs at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Saratoga Springs’ rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saratoga Springs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saratoga Springs’ 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.