Photo: WikiSebasTheDev · CC BY-SA 4.0East Rockaway’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Rockaway gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #555 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then coastal flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1,026 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 East Rockaway’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Rockaway 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 East Rockaway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Rockaway, and East Rockaway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #555 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Rockaway’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, East Rockaway has more expected damage per building than 73% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across East Rockaway: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Rockaway flood? Yes: 1,026 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Rockaway, from FEMA’s records: 250.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy608 claims · $41.4M
- Hurricane Irene153 claims · $2.8M
- The December Storm - nor’easter59 claims · $510K
East Rockaway is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Nassau County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Rockaway
Disasters that paid out in East Rockaway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of East Rockaway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida29 households applied for aid$27K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$70K to the Village of East Rockaway for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2,232 households applied for aid$13.1M aid approved$1.6M to the Village of East Rockaway for repairs608 flood claims paid for it, $41.4M
- 2011Hurricane Irene222 households applied for aid$623K aid approved$46K to the Village of East Rockaway for repairs153 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Village of East Rockaway for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$53K to the Village of East Rockaway for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$23K to the Village of East Rockaway for repairs3 flood claims 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 East Rockaway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Rockaway archive →East Rockaway and its neighbors
East Rockaway is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hewlett Harbor | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 189 |
| Lynbrook | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| East Rockaway | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1,026 |
| Rockville Centre | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Bay Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Oceanside | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Hewlett | — | 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 East Rockaway 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.
- East Rockaway residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in East Rockaway
Is East Rockaway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Rockaway has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #555 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and coastal flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Rockaway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,026 claims in East Rockaway since 1978, $46.4M in all, or 250.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 198 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (608).
Is East Rockaway 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 East Rockaway?
East Rockaway is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 East Rockaway?
By FEMA money that reached East Rockaway, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 2,232 households applied for aid, $13.1M approved, and $1.6M to the Village of East Rockaway for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 608 paid, $41.4M.
Is East Rockaway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and East Rockaway’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Rockaway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Rockaway’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.