Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Stephentown than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stephentown gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #643 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Stephentown 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 Stephentown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stephentown, and Stephentown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C #643 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Stephentown’s 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, Stephentown has more expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Stephentown: $843K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stephentown flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Stephentown. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Stephentown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rensselaer County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stephentown
Disasters that paid out in Stephentown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Stephentown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Town of Stephentown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$299K to the Town of Stephentown for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Town of Stephentown for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$53K to the Town of Stephentown for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$144K to the Town of Stephentown for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2002Snowstorms$19K to the Town of Stephentown for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$252K to the Town of Stephentown for repairs
Rensselaer County has had 21 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 Stephentown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stephentown archive →Stephentown and its neighbors
Stephentown is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Lebanon | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Stephentown | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Nassau | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Berlin | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| East Nassau | — | 613 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 Stephentown 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 Stephentown
Is Stephentown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stephentown has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #643 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%) and hurricanes (5%). 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.
Is Stephentown 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 Rensselaer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Stephentown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stephentown’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 Stephentown?
By FEMA money that reached Stephentown, Hurricane Irene (2011): 7 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $299K to the Town of Stephentown for repairs.
Is Stephentown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Stephentown’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stephentown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stephentown’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.