Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Blooming Grove than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Blooming Grove gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #354 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2007.
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 South Blooming Grove 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
Hurricanes
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 South Blooming Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Blooming Grove, and South Blooming Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #354 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Blooming Grove’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, South Blooming Grove has less expected damage per building than 53% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $804K a year in losses across South Blooming Grove: $547K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Blooming Grove flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Blooming Grove, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $74K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $31K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $78K
South Blooming Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Blooming Grove
Disasters that paid out in South Blooming Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of South Blooming Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$218K to the Village of South Blooming Grove for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$176K to the Village of South Blooming Grove for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$657K to the Village of South Blooming Grove for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $74K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$97K to the Village of South Blooming Grove for repairs
Orange County has had 25 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 1999–2024.
Old photos of South Blooming Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Blooming Grove archive →South Blooming Grove and its neighbors
South Blooming Grove is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Monroe | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| South Blooming Grove | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Blooming Grove | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
| Mountain Lodge Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Woodbury | — | not graded yet | |
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 South Blooming Grove 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 South Blooming Grove
Is South Blooming Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Blooming Grove has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #354 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Blooming Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in South Blooming Grove since 2007, $187K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is South Blooming Grove 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 Orange County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Blooming Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Blooming Grove’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 South Blooming Grove?
By FEMA money that reached South Blooming Grove, Hurricane Irene (2011): $657K to the Village of South Blooming Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $74K.
Is South Blooming Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and South Blooming Grove’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Blooming Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Blooming Grove’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.