Photo: The original uploader was Duke53 at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 2.5More hazard damage per building is expected in Tupper Lake than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tupper Lake gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #653 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Tupper Lake 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
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 Tupper Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tupper Lake, and Tupper Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C #653 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tupper Lake’s residents live in 2 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, Tupper Lake has more expected damage per building than 86% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Tupper Lake: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tupper Lake flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tupper Lake, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Tupper Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tupper Lake
Disasters that paid out in Tupper Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tupper Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Town of Tupper Lake for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$22K to the Town of Tupper Lake for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$41K to the Town of Tupper Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Franklin County has had 14 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 Tupper Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tupper Lake archive →Tupper Lake and its neighbors
Tupper Lake 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopkinton | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Harrietstown | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Tupper Lake | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Piercefield | — | 311 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Santa Clara | — | 511 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Waverly | — | 794 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Long Lake | — | 875 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 Tupper Lake 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.
- 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 Tupper Lake
Is Tupper Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tupper Lake has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #653 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tupper Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Tupper Lake since 1998, $4K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Tupper Lake 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 Franklin County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Tupper Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tupper Lake’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 Tupper Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Tupper Lake, Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds (2011): $41K to the Town of Tupper Lake for repairs.
Is Tupper Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Tupper Lake’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tupper Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tupper Lake’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.