Photo: Ira Goldstein · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Freeport’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #670 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then coastal flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 5,788 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 Freeport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Freeport 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
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 Freeport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freeport, and Freeport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 42%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #670 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Freeport’s residents live in 9 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, Freeport has more expected damage per building than 88% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.7M a year in losses across Freeport: $12.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freeport flood? Yes: 5,788 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freeport, from FEMA’s records: 391.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy2,600 claims · $203M
- Hurricane Irene1,135 claims · $29.1M
- The December Storm - nor’easter540 claims · $4.7M
Freeport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Nassau County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freeport
Disasters that paid out in Freeport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Freeport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida144 households applied for aid$124K aid approved$10K to the Village of Freeport for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$556K to the Village of Freeport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy5,263 households applied for aid$29.1M aid approved$7.6M to the Village of Freeport for repairs2,600 flood claims paid for it, $203M
- 2011Hurricane Irene763 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$642K to the Village of Freeport for repairs1,135 flood claims paid for it, $29.1M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$110K to the Village of Freeport for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$535K to the Village of Freeport for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$27K to the Village of Freeport for repairs5 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 Freeport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freeport archive →Freeport and its neighbors
Freeport has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Freeport 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.
- 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.
- Freeport residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Freeport
Is Freeport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #670 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and coastal flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freeport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5,788 claims in Freeport since 1978, $254M in all, or 391.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1,221 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (2,600).
Is Freeport 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 Freeport?
Freeport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Freeport?
By FEMA money that reached Freeport, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 5,263 households applied for aid, $29.1M approved, and $7.6M to the Village of Freeport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2,600 paid, $203M.
Is Freeport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Freeport’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freeport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freeport’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.