Photo: Wapphist · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Wappinger faces less hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wappinger gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #425 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1978.
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 Wappinger’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wappinger 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
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 Wappinger’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wappinger, and Wappinger’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #425 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wappinger’s residents live in 8 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, Wappinger has more expected damage per building than 56% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Wappinger: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wappinger flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wappinger, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter4 claims · $91K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $106K
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $17K
Wappinger isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dutchess County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wappinger
Disasters that paid out in Wappinger itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wappinger), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$29K to the Town of Wappinger for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$98K to the Town of Wappinger for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Town of Wappinger for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$35K to the Town of Wappinger for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$38K to the Town of Wappinger for repairs
Dutchess County has had 20 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 Wappinger after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wappinger archive →Wappinger and its neighbors
Wappinger is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Wappinger | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Fishkill | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
| LaGrange | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| East Fishkill | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 120 |
| Myers Corner | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| New Hackensack | — | 957 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Newburgh | — | not graded yet | |
| Red Oaks Mill | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| New Hamburg | — | 740 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Brinckerhoff | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Wappinger 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.
- 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 Wappinger
Is Wappinger at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wappinger has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #425 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wappinger flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Wappinger since 1978, $357K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (4).
Is Wappinger 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 Dutchess County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wappinger?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wappinger’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 Wappinger?
By FEMA money that reached Wappinger, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2017): $98K to the Town of Wappinger for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 4 paid, $91K.
Is Wappinger at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Wappinger’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wappinger.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wappinger’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.