Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Thompson faces less hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thompson gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #111 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 57 claims here since 1978.
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 Thompson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Thompson 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 Thompson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Thompson, and Thompson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #111 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Thompson’s residents live in 5 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, Thompson has less expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Thompson: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Thompson flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Thompson, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain7 claims · $160K
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $70K
Thompson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sullivan County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Thompson
Disasters that paid out in Thompson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Thompson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$240K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$242K to the Town of Thompson for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $70K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$42K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$731K to the Town of Thompson for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$22K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$23K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$51K to the Town of Thompson for repairs
Sullivan County has had 26 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 Thompson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Thompson archive →Thompson and its neighbors
Thompson has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Bethel | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Fallsburg | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Mamakating | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
| Forestburgh | — | 789 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mongaup Valley | — | 235 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Kiamesha Lake | — | 469 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 Thompson 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 Thompson
Is Thompson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Thompson has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #111 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Thompson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Thompson since 1978, $325K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (7).
Is Thompson 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 Sullivan County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Thompson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Thompson’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 Thompson?
By FEMA money that reached Thompson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2005): $731K to the Town of Thompson for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 7 paid, $160K.
Is Thompson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Thompson’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Thompson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Thompson’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.