Photo: Tyler A. McNeil · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Taghkanic faces less hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taghkanic gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2005.
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 Taghkanic’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Taghkanic 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 Taghkanic’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Taghkanic, and Taghkanic’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Taghkanic’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $763K a year in losses across Taghkanic: $663K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Taghkanic flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Taghkanic, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $1K
Taghkanic isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbia County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Taghkanic
Disasters that paid out in Taghkanic itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Taghkanic), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Town of Taghkanic for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$13K to the Town of Taghkanic for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Town of Taghkanic for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$80K to the Town of Taghkanic for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$29K to the Town of Taghkanic for repairs
- 2003Snow$6K to the Town of Taghkanic for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Snowstorms$14K to the Town of Taghkanic for repairs
Columbia County has had 19 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 Taghkanic after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Taghkanic archive →Taghkanic and its neighbors
Taghkanic has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taghkanic | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Livingston | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Claverack | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Ancram | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Copake | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Gallatin | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Taghkanic 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 Taghkanic
Is Taghkanic at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Taghkanic has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (10%). 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 Taghkanic flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Taghkanic since 2005, $15K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Taghkanic 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 Columbia County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Taghkanic?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Taghkanic’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 Taghkanic?
By FEMA money that reached Taghkanic, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $80K to the Town of Taghkanic for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Taghkanic at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Taghkanic’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Taghkanic.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Taghkanic’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.