Photo: AITFFan1 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Bayville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bayville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #310 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then coastal flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 1,124 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 Bayville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bayville 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
Coastal flooding
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 Bayville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bayville, and Bayville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 36%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #310 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bayville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, Bayville has less expected damage per building than 59% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Bayville: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bayville flood? Yes: 1,124 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bayville, from FEMA’s records: 391.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy421 claims · $13.6M
- The December Storm - nor’easter309 claims · $5.7M
- The Torrential rain58 claims · $394K
Bayville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Nassau County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bayville
Disasters that paid out in Bayville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bayville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida24 households applied for aid$11K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$6K to the Village of Bayville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy622 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$169K to the Village of Bayville for repairs421 flood claims paid for it, $13.6M
- 2011Hurricane Irene21 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$55K to the Village of Bayville for repairs37 flood claims paid for it, $513K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Village of Bayville for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Village of Bayville for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$15K to the Village of Bayville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Nassau County has had 22 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 Bayville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bayville archive →Bayville and its neighbors
Bayville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayville | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 1,124 |
| Centre Island | — | 264 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bayville 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bayville residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bayville
Is Bayville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bayville has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #310 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and coastal flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bayville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,124 claims in Bayville since 1978, $22.6M in all, or 391.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 160 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (421).
Is Bayville 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 Nassau County, 76% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bayville?
Bayville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bayville?
By FEMA money that reached Bayville, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 622 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $169K to the Village of Bayville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 421 paid, $13.6M.
Is Bayville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Bayville’s rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bayville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bayville’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.