Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Greenport than almost anywhere in the U.S., led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenport gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #14 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 105 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 Greenport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Greenport 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
Coastal flooding
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 Greenport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Greenport, and Greenport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 21%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #14 of 758 in New York; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Greenport’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, Greenport has less expected damage per building than 98% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $471K a year in losses across Greenport: $408K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Greenport flood? Yes: 105 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Greenport, from FEMA’s records: 70.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy45 claims · $2.2M
- The December Storm - nor’easter16 claims · $139K
- The Torrential rain12 claims · $175K
Greenport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Suffolk County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Greenport
Disasters that paid out in Greenport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Greenport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida10 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Village of Greenport for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy73 households applied for aid$75K aid approved$281K to the Village of Greenport for repairs45 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2011Hurricane Irene1 households applied for aid$55K to the Village of Greenport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Village of Greenport for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the Village of Greenport for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$15K to the Village of Greenport for repairs
- 2003Snow$9K to the Village of Greenport for repairs
Suffolk County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Greenport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Greenport archive →Greenport and its neighbors
Greenport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenport | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 105 |
| Greenport West | — | 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 Greenport 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.
- 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.
- 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 Greenport
Is Greenport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Greenport has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #14 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hurricanes (22%). 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 Greenport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 105 claims in Greenport since 1978, $2.6M in all, or 70.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (45).
Is Greenport 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 Suffolk County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Greenport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Greenport’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 Greenport?
By FEMA money that reached Greenport, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 73 households applied for aid, $75K approved, and $281K to the Village of Greenport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 45 paid, $2.2M.
Is Greenport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Greenport’s rate for it is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Greenport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Greenport’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.