Photo: Jim.henderson · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ardsley faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ardsley gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #188 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 229 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Ardsley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ardsley 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
Earthquakes
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 Ardsley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ardsley, and Ardsley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 11% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A #188 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Ardsley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Ardsley has less expected damage per building than 75% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Ardsley: $808K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ardsley flood? Yes: 229 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ardsley, from FEMA’s records: 132.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida5 claims · $371K
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $165K
Ardsley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Westchester County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ardsley
Disasters that paid out in Ardsley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Ardsley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida105 households applied for aid$542K aid approved$222K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $371K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$93K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy37 households applied for aid$623 aid approved$120K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene12 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$47K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $165K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$53K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding25 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$27K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$27K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$231K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $182K
Westchester County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 Ardsley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ardsley archive →Ardsley and its neighbors
Ardsley is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irvington | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Dobbs Ferry | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Ardsley | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 229 |
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 Ardsley 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Ardsley
Is Ardsley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ardsley has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #188 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and earthquakes (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ardsley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 229 claims in Ardsley since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 132.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (5).
Is Ardsley 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 Westchester County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ardsley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ardsley’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 Ardsley?
By FEMA money that reached Ardsley, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 105 households applied for aid, $542K approved, and $222K to the Village of Ardsley for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 5 paid, $371K.
Is Ardsley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Ardsley’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ardsley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ardsley’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.