FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Wilton than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #199 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Wilton 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 Wilton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilton, and Wilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A #199 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wilton’s residents live in 4 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, Wilton has less expected damage per building than 74% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.6M a year in losses across Wilton: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilton, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Saratoga County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilton
Disasters that paid out in Wilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$15K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$8K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$149K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$180K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$18K to the Town of Wilton for repairs
Saratoga County has had 13 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 Wilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilton archive →Wilton and its neighbors
Wilton is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moreau | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Northumberland | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Wilton | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Saratoga Springs | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Greenfield | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Corinth | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
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 Wilton 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 Wilton
Is Wilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilton has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #199 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wilton since 2016, $4K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wilton 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 Saratoga County, 0.6% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wilton’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 Wilton?
By FEMA money that reached Wilton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): $180K to the Town of Wilton for repairs.
Is Wilton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Wilton’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilton’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.