FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in East Williston than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Williston gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #145 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 East Williston 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
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 Williston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Williston, and East Williston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A #145 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Williston’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, East Williston has less expected damage per building than 81% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $573K a year in losses across East Williston: $497K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Williston flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Williston, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $8K
East Williston 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Williston
Disasters that paid out in East Williston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of East Williston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida4 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy32 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
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 Williston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Williston archive →East Williston and its neighbors
East Williston 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineola | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Williston Park | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| East Williston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Roslyn Heights | — | 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 Williston 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.
- 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 East Williston
Is East Williston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Williston has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #145 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 East Williston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in East Williston since 2010, $8K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is East Williston 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 Williston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Williston’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 East Williston?
By FEMA money that reached East Williston, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 32 households applied for aid, $18K approved. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $8K.
Is East Williston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and East Williston’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Williston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Williston’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.