Photo: Infrastorian · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Farmingdale faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmingdale gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #136 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2023.
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 Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Farmingdale, and Farmingdale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A #136 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Farmingdale’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, Farmingdale has less expected damage per building than 82% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Farmingdale: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Farmingdale flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2023
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Farmingdale, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late-September New York Flooding1 claim · $36K
Farmingdale 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Farmingdale
Disasters that paid out in Farmingdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Farmingdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida87 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$42K to the Village of Farmingdale for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy359 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$180K to the Village of Farmingdale for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene26 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$18K to the Village of Farmingdale for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Village of Farmingdale for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Village of Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Farmingdale archive →Farmingdale and its neighbors
Farmingdale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmingdale | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Old Bethpage | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| South Farmingdale | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Bethpage | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Plainedge | — | 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 Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale
Is Farmingdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Farmingdale has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #136 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Farmingdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Farmingdale since 2023, $36K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late-September New York Flooding (1).
Is Farmingdale 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 Farmingdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Farmingdale’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 Farmingdale?
By FEMA money that reached Farmingdale, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 359 households applied for aid, $47K approved, and $180K to the Village of Farmingdale for repairs. By flood claims, Late-September New York Flooding: 1 paid, $36K.
Is Farmingdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Farmingdale’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Farmingdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Farmingdale’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.