Storms, floods and disasters in Long Island
Long Island isn’t graded for hazard risk: Long Island has 249 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1978.
What Long Island faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Ice storms
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 Long Island flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Long Island, from FEMA’s records.
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $10K
- The “Halloween” storm1 claim · $2K
Long Island isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cumberland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Long Island
Disasters that paid out in Long Island itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Long Island), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$309K to the Town of Long Island for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$10K to the Town of Long Island for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm$285K to the Town of Long Island for repairs
- 2008Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$6K to the Town of Long Island for repairs
- 2005Record Snow$3K to the Town of Long Island for repairs
- 2005Snow$2K to the Town of Long Island for repairs
Cumberland County has had 32 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.
Old photos of Long Island after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Long Island archive →Long Island and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Long Island faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Long Island
Does Long Island flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Long Island since 1978, $218K in all. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (2).
Is Long Island 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 Cumberland County, 1.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Long Island?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Long Island’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 Long Island?
By FEMA money that reached Long Island, Severe Storms and Flooding (2024): 16 households applied for aid, $51K approved, and $309K to the Town of Long Island for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $10K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Long Island.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Long Island’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.