Barrett, George, Concrete House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Spring Valley
Spring Valley isn’t graded for hazard risk: Spring Valley has 575 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2004.
What Spring Valley 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
Tornadoes
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.
Does Spring Valley flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spring Valley, from FEMA’s records.
Spring Valley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spring Valley
Disasters that paid out in Spring Valley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Spring Valley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$16K to the Village of Spring Valley for repairs
- 2004Snow$2K to the Village of Spring Valley for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$1K to the Village of Spring Valley for repairs
Greene County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Spring Valley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spring Valley archive →Get ready for what Spring Valley 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Spring Valley
Does Spring Valley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Spring Valley since 2004, $47K in all.
Is Spring Valley 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 Greene County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spring Valley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spring Valley’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 Spring Valley?
By FEMA money that reached Spring Valley, Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike (2008): $16K to the Village of Spring Valley for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spring Valley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spring Valley’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.