FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Theresa as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Theresa gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #590 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). 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 Theresa 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 Theresa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Theresa, and Theresa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #590 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Theresa’s residents live in 3 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, Theresa has more expected damage per building than 78% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $877K a year in losses across Theresa: $783K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Theresa flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Theresa. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Theresa isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Theresa
Disasters that paid out in Theresa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Theresa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$15K to the Town of Theresa for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$8K to the Town of Theresa for repairs
Jefferson County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Theresa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Theresa archive →Theresa and its neighbors
Theresa is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Ray | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Orleans | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Alexandria | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Philadelphia | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Theresa | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Antwerp | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Redwood | — | 371 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Rossie | — | 785 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 Theresa 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 Theresa
Is Theresa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Theresa has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #590 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Theresa 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 Jefferson County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Theresa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Theresa’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 Theresa?
By FEMA money that reached Theresa, Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby (2024): $15K to the Town of Theresa for repairs.
Is Theresa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Theresa’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Theresa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Theresa’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.