FEMA puts South Glens Falls’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Glens Falls gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #175 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1996.
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 Glens 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
Earthquakes
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 Glens Falls’ grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Glens Falls, and South Glens Falls’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
A #175 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Glens 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, South Glens Falls has less expected damage per building than 77% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $587K a year in losses across South Glens Falls: $457K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Glens Falls flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Glens Falls, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
South Glens 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: Saratoga County.The storms South Glens Falls remembers
None of the 13 disasters declared for Saratoga County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching South Glens Falls itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Saratoga County
Saratoga County has had 13 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 South Glens Falls after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Glens Falls archive →South Glens Falls and its neighbors
South Glens Falls is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moreau | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Glens Falls | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| South Glens Falls | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Glens 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Glens Falls
Is South Glens Falls at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Glens Falls has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #175 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (6%). 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 South Glens Falls flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in South Glens Falls since 1996, $397 in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is South Glens 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 Saratoga County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in South Glens Falls?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Glens Falls’ flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is South Glens Falls at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and South Glens Falls’ rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Glens Falls.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Glens 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.