Bullard Block · Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, New York, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Saratoga faces more hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saratoga gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #624 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1984.
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 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 Saratoga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saratoga, and Saratoga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
C #624 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saratoga’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, Saratoga has more expected damage per building than 82% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Saratoga: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saratoga flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saratoga, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $41K
- Tropical Storm Lee4 claims · $75K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $7K
Saratoga 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Saratoga
Disasters that paid out in Saratoga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Saratoga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene1 households applied for aid$29K to the Town of Saratoga for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $41K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$93K to the Town of Saratoga for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$3K to the Town of Saratoga for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$7K to the Town of Saratoga 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saratoga archive →Saratoga and its neighbors
Saratoga is 8th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Northumberland | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Saratoga Springs | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Easton | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Greenwich | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Schuylerville | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Stillwater | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| 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 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 Saratoga
Is Saratoga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saratoga has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #624 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 Saratoga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Saratoga since 1984, $221K in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Saratoga 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saratoga’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 Saratoga?
By FEMA money that reached Saratoga, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $93K to the Town of Saratoga for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $41K.
Is Saratoga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Saratoga’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saratoga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saratoga’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.