FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Elmsford than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmsford gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #91 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 253 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 Elmsford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elmsford 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 Elmsford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elmsford, and Elmsford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #91 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elmsford’s residents live in 3 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, Elmsford has less expected damage per building than 88% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $820K a year in losses across Elmsford: $614K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elmsford flood? Yes: 253 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elmsford, from FEMA’s records: 144.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter17 claims · $696K
- Hurricane Irene13 claims · $702K
Elmsford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Westchester County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elmsford
Disasters that paid out in Elmsford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Elmsford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$15K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida131 households applied for aid$401K aid approved$59K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$165K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy43 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$131K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene89 households applied for aid$172K aid approved$194K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $702K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$30K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding32 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$66K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$13K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$48K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $912K
Westchester County has had 23 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 Elmsford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elmsford archive →Elmsford and its neighbors
Elmsford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmsford | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 253 |
| Fairview | — | 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 Elmsford 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 Elmsford
Is Elmsford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmsford has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #91 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elmsford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 253 claims in Elmsford since 1978, $6.8M in all, or 144.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (17).
Is Elmsford 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 Westchester County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elmsford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elmsford’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 Elmsford?
By FEMA money that reached Elmsford, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 131 households applied for aid, $401K approved, and $59K to the Village of Elmsford for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 17 paid, $696K.
Is Elmsford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Elmsford’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elmsford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elmsford’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.