Second Walton Armory (Thrity-third Separate Company) · Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Walton than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #743 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1982.
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 Walton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Walton 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
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 Walton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Walton, and Walton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #743 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Walton’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, Walton has more expected damage per building than 98% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Walton: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Walton flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Walton, from FEMA’s records: 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $1K
Walton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Delaware County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Walton
Disasters that paid out in Walton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Walton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby$90K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$499K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$73K to the Town of Walton for repairs
Show all 16
- 2011Hurricane Irene$21K to the Town of Walton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$87K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$77K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$216K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$6.5M to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding$219K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$183K to the Town of Walton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes$5K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Town of Walton for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$19K to the Town of Walton for repairs
Delaware County has had 30 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Walton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Walton archive →Walton and its neighbors
Walton is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 31 |
| Hamden | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Franklin | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Tompkins | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Walton | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Colchester | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 100 |
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 Walton 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.
- 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.
- Walton residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Walton
Is Walton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Walton has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #743 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Walton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Walton since 1982, $384K in all, or 7.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% 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 Walton 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 Delaware County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Walton?
Walton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Walton?
By FEMA money that reached Walton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2006): $6.5M to the Town of Walton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Walton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Walton’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Walton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Walton’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.