Photo: Doug Kerr from Albany, Upstate New York, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in White Creek than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Creek gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #623 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2011.
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 White Creek 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 White Creek’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Creek, and White Creek’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
C #623 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of White Creek’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, White Creek has more expected damage per building than 82% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across White Creek: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Creek flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Creek, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $35K
White Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Washington County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to White Creek
Disasters that paid out in White Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of White Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$14K to the Town of White Creek for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $35K
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$43K to the Town of White Creek for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$19K to the Town of White Creek for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$253K to the Town of White Creek for repairs
Washington County has had 9 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 White Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Creek archive →White Creek and its neighbors
White Creek is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaftsbury | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hoosick | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Jackson | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| White Creek | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Cambridge | — | not graded yet | |
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 White Creek 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in White Creek
Is White Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Creek has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #623 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). 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 White Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in White Creek since 2011, $35K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is White Creek 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 Washington County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in White Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Creek’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 White Creek?
By FEMA money that reached White Creek, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $253K to the Town of White Creek for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $35K.
Is White Creek at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and White Creek’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Creek’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.