Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Walden as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walden gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #551 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1980.
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 Walden 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 Walden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Walden, and Walden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #551 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Walden’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, Walden has more expected damage per building than 73% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Walden: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Walden flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Walden, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $14K
- Tropical Storm Lee1 claim · $9K
Walden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Walden
Disasters that paid out in Walden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Walden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida29 households applied for aid$121K aid approved$115K to the Village of Walden for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy8 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$68K to the Village of Walden for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee23 households applied for aid$42K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2011Hurricane Irene126 households applied for aid$365K aid approved$188K to the Village of Walden for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding11 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$12K to the Village of Walden for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$31K to the Village of Walden for repairs
Show all 9
- 2003Snow$15K to the Village of Walden for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$21K to the Village of Walden for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$24K to the Village of Walden for repairs
Orange County has had 25 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 1999–2024.
Old photos of Walden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Walden archive →Get ready for what Walden 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 Walden
Is Walden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walden has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #551 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Walden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Walden since 1980, $110K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Walden 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 Orange County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Walden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Walden’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 Walden?
By FEMA money that reached Walden, Hurricane Irene (2011): 126 households applied for aid, $365K approved, and $188K to the Village of Walden for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Walden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Walden’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Walden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Walden’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.