Photo: Андрей Тесленко · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Valatie’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valatie gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2009.
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 Valatie 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 Valatie’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Valatie, and Valatie’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Valatie’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $518K a year in losses across Valatie: $425K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Valatie flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Valatie, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $3K
Valatie 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Valatie
Disasters that paid out in Valatie itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Valatie), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$15K to the Village of Valatie for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes33 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Valatie after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Valatie archive →Get ready for what Valatie 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 Valatie
Is Valatie at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Valatie has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 Valatie flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Valatie since 2009, $40K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Valatie 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 Valatie?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Valatie’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 Valatie?
By FEMA money that reached Valatie, Severe Winter Storm (2008): $15K to the Village of Valatie for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Valatie at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Valatie’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Valatie.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Valatie’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.