FEMA puts Voorheesville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Voorheesville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #277 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1979.
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 Voorheesville 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 Voorheesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Voorheesville, and Voorheesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #277 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Voorheesville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Voorheesville has less expected damage per building than 64% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $598K a year in losses across Voorheesville: $463K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Voorheesville flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Voorheesville, from FEMA’s records: 10.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $21K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $31K
Voorheesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Albany County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Voorheesville
Disasters that paid out in Voorheesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Voorheesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Village of Voorheesville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene70 households applied for aid$185K aid approved$10K to the Village of Voorheesville for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $31K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$21K to the Village of Voorheesville for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding12 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2003Snow$4K to the Village of Voorheesville for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$11K to the Village of Voorheesville for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$246K to the Village of Voorheesville for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $21K
Albany County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe 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 Voorheesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Voorheesville archive →Get ready for what Voorheesville 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 Voorheesville
Is Voorheesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Voorheesville has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #277 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Voorheesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Voorheesville since 1979, $85K in all, or 10.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (2).
Is Voorheesville 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 Albany County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Voorheesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Voorheesville’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 Voorheesville?
By FEMA money that reached Voorheesville, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $246K to the Village of Voorheesville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 2 paid, $21K.
Is Voorheesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Voorheesville’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Voorheesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Voorheesville’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.