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Montgomery County, New York

Natural disaster risk, federal disaster history and flood insurance facts.

Relatively Low overall risk
37th of 62highest risk in New York
$20Mexpected losses a year
22federal declarations
1 in 125homes with flood insurance
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, public domain

Montgomery County, New York has a relatively low overall risk from natural hazards in FEMA's National Risk Index. Its risk score is higher than 65% of US counties. It ranks 37th of 62 counties in New York. The costliest hazards here are inland flooding, cold waves and tornadoes. FEMA estimates about $20 million a year in expected losses, or roughly $402 per resident. Since 1987 it has been included in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events (16 major disasters). The most recent was in August 2021 (Hurricane Henri). Fewer than 1 in 100 homes here carry federal flood insurance (139 policies). Since 1978, federal flood insurance has paid about $8.9 million on 288 claims here, including $3.5 million for floods in 2006.

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; OpenFEMA declarations to Nov 6, 2026; NFIP records. Updated November 6, 2026.

Top risks in Montgomery County

$16.3 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 3 times a year.
  • Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
  • Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
$1.1 million a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about 3 times a year.
  • Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
  • Know how to shut off the main water valve.
$743,460 a yearExpected losses. Damaging events about once every 10 years.
  • Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
  • Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
HazardRatingScoreExpected loss a year
Inland floodingModerate80.5
$16M
Cold waveLow59.1
$1M
TornadoLow41.7
$743K
HurricaneLow68.0
$397K
Strong windLow33.7
$269K
EarthquakeVery Low51.8
$244K
LightningLow55.0
$226K
HailLow46.0
$182K
Heat waveVery Low36.4
$154K
Ice stormLow57.0
$94K
Winter weatherModerate66.4
$92K
LandslideModerate92.5
$65K
WildfireVery Low27.7
$10K
AvalancheVery Low29.2
$83

Scores are percentiles: a score of 90 means higher risk than about 90% of US counties for that hazard. Hazards FEMA does not rate here are left out. Social vulnerability is relatively high and community resilience is relatively high in FEMA's measures.

Federal disaster history

Recent disasters nationwide ›

Declarations by decade

Federal declarations for natural events that included Montgomery County. 2020s bar runs to November 2026.

By type

Severe Storm11
Hurricane4
Flood3
Snowstorm3
Fire1

Most recent

Aug 22, 2021Hurricane HenriEmergency
Dec 19, 2019Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and FloodingMajor disaster
Jul 12, 2017Severe Winter Storm and SnowstormMajor disaster
Jul 12, 2013Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Oct 28, 2012Hurricane SandyEmergency
Sep 13, 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm LeeMajor disaster
Sep 8, 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm LeeEmergency
Aug 31, 2011Hurricane IreneMajor disaster
Apr 24, 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal FloodingMajor disaster
Dec 12, 2006Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Show all 22
Jul 1, 2006Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Sep 30, 2005Hurricane Katrina EvacuationEmergency
Apr 19, 2005Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 3, 2004Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Aug 29, 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and TornadoesMajor disaster
Feb 25, 2003SnowstormsEmergency
Sep 11, 2001Fires and ExplosionsMajor disaster
Jul 21, 2000Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Dec 9, 1996Severe Storms High Winds, Rain and FloodingMajor disaster
Jan 24, 1996Severe Storms and FloodingMajor disaster
Mar 17, 1993Severe BlizzardEmergency
May 15, 1987FloodingMajor disaster

New York also had 12 statewide declarations that did not name single counties.

Storm history since 1964

Tornado risk by county ›

The National Weather Service has logged 548 storm reports in Montgomery County since 1964, with 2 deaths and 2 injuries and about $32.1 million in reported damage. The strongest on record here was an F4 tornado on July 10, 1989.

10tornadoes
60hail reports, largest 4 inches
345damaging thunderstorm winds
125floods and flash floods

Strongest tornadoes

DateStrengthNearHurt / killed
Jul 10, 1989F4–0 / 0
Jun 24, 1992F1–0 / 0
Aug 3, 2010EF1Auriesville0 / 0
Aug 3, 2010EF1Auriesville0 / 0
Sep 4, 2011EF1South Amsterdam0 / 0

Most damaging storms

DateTypeNearDamage
Jul 10, 1989Tornado–$25M
Apr 8, 2001Heavy RainAmsterdam$1M
Aug 20, 2001Flash FloodAmsterdam$1M
Jul 15, 1995Thunderstorm WindCountywide$500K
Nov 9, 1996Flash FloodFultonville/Fonda$500K
Sep 7, 1998Thunderstorm WindSt Johnsville$300K

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, county-based reports through Jul 29, 2026. Tornado records start in 1950, hail and wind in 1955, and floods and other storm types in 1996, so older decades undercount. Damage is in dollars of the year it happened and is often an estimate. Winter storms, heat and hurricanes are logged by forecast zone, not county, so they are not counted here.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

Hurricane risk by county ›

Since 1876, 0 hurricanes and 1 tropical storm have passed within 65 miles of the center of Montgomery County. The strongest was an unnamed storm in 1876, with top winds near 45 mph about 58 miles away.

0hurricanes
0major hurricanes (Category 3+)
1tropical storms
1876most recent: unnamed storm

Strongest storms nearby

DateStormStrengthClosest
Sep 18, 1876UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph58 mi

Most recent storms

DateStormStrengthClosest
Sep 18, 1876UnnamedTropical storm, 45 mph58 mi

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center best-track records (HURDAT2), 1851 to 2025 for the Atlantic and 1949 to 2025 for the eastern Pacific. A storm counts if its track passed within 65 miles of the county's center while it was a tropical storm or hurricane. Strength is the storm's top sustained wind at that point, not the wind measured in the county. Older storms over the open sea were sometimes missed.

Flood insurance in Montgomery County

Check your address flood zone ›
0.8%of homes have federal flood insurance (139 policies)
23.4%of homes in mapped high-risk flood zones are insured
$8.9 millionpaid on 288 flood claims since 1978
2006costliest year, with $3.5 million paid

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records only; private flood policies are not included. Home counts as of Aug 3, 2026. Since 2021 NFIP prices each home separately under Risk Rating 2.0, so your price depends on the building, not the county. Ask an agent for a quote.

Homes in Montgomery County

$157,500median home value (New York $423,800, US $332,700)
1944median year homes were built (New York 1959, US 1980)
78%of homes built before 1980, before many modern wind, quake and flood building rules
6.6%of homes are mobile homes, which are the least safe in tornadoes and high winds

Older homes and mobile homes usually suffer more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes, and can cost more to insure. If you are buying, ask about roof age, foundation bolting and any retrofits. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5-year estimates; 22,981 housing units.

Compare in New York

All 62 ›
Largest countiesOverall riskTop hazard
Kings CountyHighInland flooding
Queens CountyHighInland flooding
New York CountyHighInland flooding
Suffolk CountyHighInland flooding
Bronx CountyHighInland flooding
Nassau CountyHighInland flooding
Westchester CountyHighInland flooding
Erie CountyHighInland flooding

Neighboring counties

CountyOverall riskDeclarations
Saratoga CountyLow16
Schenectady CountyLow21
Herkimer CountyLow21
Otsego CountyLow23
Fulton CountyLow14
Schoharie CountyVery Low25

Common questions about Montgomery County

What is the biggest natural hazard in Montgomery County?

Inland flooding has the highest expected yearly losses in Montgomery County, about $16.3 million a year in FEMA's estimate. Cold wave is second at $1.1 million.

How many federal disasters has Montgomery County had?

Montgomery County has been included in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events since 1987, including 16 major disasters. The most recent was Hurricane Henri in August 2021.

Is Montgomery County a high-risk place to live?

Its overall rating is Relatively Low, 37th highest of 62 in New York. A county rating covers the whole area. Risk at one address can be much higher or lower, so check the FEMA flood map and ask about the home's history.

Do I need flood insurance in Montgomery County?

Standard home insurance does not cover flooding. About 1 in 125 homes in Montgomery County has federal flood insurance. Lenders require it in mapped high-risk zones, but many flood claims come from outside those zones.

How many tornadoes has Montgomery County had?

NOAA records list 10 tornadoes in Montgomery County since 1950. The strongest was an F4 tornado on July 10, 1989. The weather service has also logged 60 hail reports and 125 floods here.

How many hurricanes have hit Montgomery County?

NOAA's hurricane records show 0 hurricanes and 1 tropical storm passing within 65 miles of the center of Montgomery County. The strongest was an unnamed storm in 1876, with winds near 45 mph.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, and NFIP policy and claims data. Hazard Compass is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. These figures describe the whole county, not a single property, and are not insurance or safety advice. Report a problem.