Photo: AITFFan1 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Cedarhurst than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedarhurst gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #289 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then coastal flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 305 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 Cedarhurst’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cedarhurst 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
Earthquakes
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 Cedarhurst’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cedarhurst, and Cedarhurst’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 13%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #289 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cedarhurst’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, Cedarhurst has less expected damage per building than 62% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Cedarhurst: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cedarhurst flood? Yes: 305 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cedarhurst, from FEMA’s records: 108.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy203 claims · $15.5M
- Hurricane Irene19 claims · $213K
- The Late-September New York Flooding15 claims · $247K
Cedarhurst isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nassau County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cedarhurst
Disasters that paid out in Cedarhurst itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cedarhurst), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida30 households applied for aid$13K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$62K to the Village of Cedarhurst for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy915 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved$363K to the Village of Cedarhurst for repairs203 flood claims paid for it, $15.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene25 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$69K to the Village of Cedarhurst for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $213K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the Village of Cedarhurst for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$73K to the Village of Cedarhurst for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$21K to the Village of Cedarhurst for repairs
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 Cedarhurst after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cedarhurst archive →Cedarhurst and its neighbors
Cedarhurst has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. 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 Cedarhurst 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Cedarhurst
Is Cedarhurst at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedarhurst has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #289 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and coastal flooding (13%). 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 Cedarhurst flood?
Flood insurance has paid 305 claims in Cedarhurst since 1978, $16.5M in all, or 108.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (203).
Is Cedarhurst 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 Cedarhurst?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cedarhurst’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 Cedarhurst?
By FEMA money that reached Cedarhurst, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 915 households applied for aid, $4.8M approved, and $363K to the Village of Cedarhurst for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 203 paid, $15.5M.
Is Cedarhurst at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Cedarhurst’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cedarhurst.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cedarhurst’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.