Photo: Thomas Cole · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Schroon than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schroon gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1998.
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 Schroon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Schroon 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 Schroon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Schroon, and Schroon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Schroon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Schroon: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Schroon flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Schroon, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $12K
Schroon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Schroon
Disasters that paid out in Schroon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Schroon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms and Flooding$1.2M to the Town of Schroon for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$482K to the Town of Schroon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Town of Schroon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$16K to the Town of Schroon for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$15K to the Town of Schroon for repairs
Essex County has had 19 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 Schroon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Schroon archive →Schroon and its neighbors
Schroon has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schroon | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Ticonderoga | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Horicon | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Crown Point | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| North Hudson | — | 208 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Minerva | — | 836 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 Schroon 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 Schroon
Is Schroon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schroon has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Schroon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Schroon since 1998, $510K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Schroon 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 Essex County, 0.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Schroon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Schroon’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 Schroon?
By FEMA money that reached Schroon, Severe Storms and Flooding (2023): $1.2M to the Town of Schroon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $12K.
Is Schroon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Schroon’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Schroon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Schroon’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.