FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Scotia as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scotia gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #543 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 49 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 Scotia 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 Scotia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scotia, and Scotia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #543 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scotia’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, Scotia has more expected damage per building than 72% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Scotia: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scotia flood? Sometimes: 49 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scotia, from FEMA’s records: 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene21 claims · $976K
- The April 2007 nor’easter9 claims · $83K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $16K
Scotia 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Scotia
Disasters that paid out in Scotia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Scotia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Village of Scotia for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene70 households applied for aid$164K aid approved$474K to the Village of Scotia for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $976K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$11K to the Village of Scotia for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$21K to the Village of Scotia for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$43K to the Village of Scotia for repairs
Show all 11
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$2K to the Village of Scotia for repairs
- 2003Snow$5K to the Village of Scotia for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$18K to the Village of Scotia for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to the Village of Scotia 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 Scotia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scotia archive →Scotia and its neighbors
Scotia has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotia | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| 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 Scotia 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 Scotia
Is Scotia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scotia has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #543 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 Scotia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 49 claims in Scotia since 1980, $1.4M in all, or 14.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (21).
Is Scotia 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 Scotia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scotia’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 Scotia?
By FEMA money that reached Scotia, Hurricane Irene (2011): 70 households applied for aid, $164K approved, and $474K to the Village of Scotia for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 21 paid, $976K.
Is Scotia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Scotia’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scotia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scotia’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.