On FEMA’s figures, Flower Hill faces less hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flower Hill gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #81 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2009.
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 Flower Hill 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 Flower Hill’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Flower Hill, and Flower Hill’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #81 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Flower Hill’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, Flower Hill has less expected damage per building than 89% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Flower Hill: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Flower Hill flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Flower Hill, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $180K
Flower Hill 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Flower Hill
Disasters that paid out in Flower Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Flower Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$22K to the Village of Flower Hill for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $180K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$61K to the Village of Flower Hill for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$251K to the Village of Flower Hill for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$14K to the Village of Flower Hill for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Village of Flower Hill 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 Flower Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Flower Hill archive →Flower Hill and its neighbors
Flower Hill has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flower Hill | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Munsey Park | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Plandome | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Roslyn | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Roslyn Estates | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Port Washington | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Plandome Manor | — | 718 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Manhasset | — | 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 Flower Hill 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 Flower Hill
Is Flower Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flower Hill has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #81 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (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 Flower Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Flower Hill since 2009, $186K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (6).
Is Flower Hill 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 Flower Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Flower Hill’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 Flower Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Flower Hill, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $251K to the Village of Flower Hill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 6 paid, $180K.
Is Flower Hill at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Flower Hill’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Flower Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Flower Hill’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.