Haverstraw, NY: what USGS's seismic model says

Under the seismic model IBC and ASCE 7 use for new construction, Haverstraw is Category B. Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. Nationally, Haverstraw ranks above 65% of the 4,875 cities in this dataset for seismic hazard - the 65th percentile.

Haverstraw by the numbers

USGS's underlying values for Haverstraw: 0.181g peak ground acceleration, 0.293g at short period, 0.061g at 1 second. Within New York alone, Haverstraw ranks 21 of 170 cities by seismic hazard - the 88th percentile in-state. Haverstraw has a population of about 12,445.

Retrofit economics for Haverstraw

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by New York specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in New York.

Insuring against this, not just retrofitting

A Haverstraw homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Haverstraw's figures come from

Haverstraw's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Haverstraw.