Photo: UpstateNYer · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Schenectady as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schenectady gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #499 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 128 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Schenectady’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Schenectady 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 Schenectady’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Schenectady, and Schenectady’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #499 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Schenectady’s residents live in 21 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, Schenectady has more expected damage per building than 66% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.9M a year in losses across Schenectady: $11.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Schenectady flood? Yes: 128 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Schenectady, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene45 claims · $2.3M
- The Torrential rain6 claims · $56K
- Hurricane Gloria1 claim · $5K
Schenectady isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Schenectady County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Schenectady
Disasters that paid out in Schenectady itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Schenectady), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$110K to the City of Schenectady for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee42 households applied for aid$38K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $120
- 2011Hurricane Irene939 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Schenectady for repairs45 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$302K to the City of Schenectady for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$298K to the City of Schenectady for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding41 households applied for aid$66K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the City of Schenectady for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$70K to the City of Schenectady for repairs
- 2003Snow$47K to the City of Schenectady for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$243K to the City of Schenectady for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$210K to the City of Schenectady for repairs
Schenectady County has had 17 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 Schenectady after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Schenectady archive →Schenectady and its neighbors
Schenectady is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niskayuna | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Rotterdam | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Glenville | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Schenectady | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| East Glenville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Schenectady 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 Schenectady
Is Schenectady at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schenectady has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #499 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Schenectady flood?
Flood insurance has paid 128 claims in Schenectady since 1978, $3.5M in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (45).
Is Schenectady 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 Schenectady County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Schenectady?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Schenectady’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 Schenectady?
By FEMA money that reached Schenectady, Hurricane Irene (2011): 939 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $1.3M to the City of Schenectady for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 45 paid, $2.3M.
Is Schenectady at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Schenectady’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Schenectady.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Schenectady’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.