Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Bellport’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellport gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1980.
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 Bellport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bellport 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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Coastal flooding
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 Bellport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellport, and Bellport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bellport’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $443K a year in losses across Bellport: $382K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellport flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellport, from FEMA’s records: 31.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy18 claims · $840K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $16K
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $17K
Bellport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Suffolk County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellport
Disasters that paid out in Bellport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Bellport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida25 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy93 households applied for aid$46K aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $840K
- 2011Hurricane Irene7 households applied for aid$5K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $16K
Suffolk County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Bellport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellport archive →Bellport and its neighbors
Bellport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellport | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| East Patchogue | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North Bellport | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Bellport 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Bellport
Is Bellport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellport has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (19%). 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 Bellport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Bellport since 1980, $967K in all, or 31.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (18).
Is Bellport 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 Suffolk County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellport’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 Bellport?
By FEMA money that reached Bellport, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 93 households applied for aid, $46K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 18 paid, $840K.
Is Bellport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Bellport’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellport’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.