FEMA puts Schuyler Falls’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schuyler Falls gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #674 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1981.
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 Schuyler Falls’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Schuyler Falls 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 Schuyler Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Schuyler Falls, and Schuyler Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C #674 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Schuyler Falls’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Schuyler Falls has more expected damage per building than 89% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Schuyler Falls: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Schuyler Falls flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Schuyler Falls, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Schuyler Falls 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Schuyler Falls
Disasters that paid out in Schuyler Falls itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Schuyler Falls), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Town of Schuyler Falls for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene8 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$22K to the Town of Schuyler Falls for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$20K to the Town of Schuyler Falls 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 Schuyler Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Schuyler Falls archive →Schuyler Falls and its neighbors
Schuyler Falls 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plattsburgh | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Peru | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Saranac | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Schuyler Falls | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Morrisonville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Cadyville | — | 479 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Plattsburgh West | — | 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 Schuyler Falls 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 Schuyler Falls
Is Schuyler Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schuyler Falls has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #674 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Schuyler Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Schuyler Falls since 1981, $199K in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Schuyler Falls 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 Schuyler Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Schuyler Falls’ 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 Schuyler Falls?
By FEMA money that reached Schuyler Falls, Hurricane Irene (2011): 8 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $22K to the Town of Schuyler Falls for repairs.
Is Schuyler Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Schuyler Falls’ rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Schuyler Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Schuyler Falls’ 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.