Less hazard damage per building is expected in Irvington than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Irvington gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #28 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 87 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 Irvington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Irvington 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 Irvington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Irvington, and Irvington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #28 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Irvington’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, Irvington has less expected damage per building than 96% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Irvington: $873K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Irvington flood? Sometimes: 87 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Irvington, from FEMA’s records: 31.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida24 claims · $730K
- Hurricane Floyd9 claims · $111K
Irvington 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 Irvington
Disasters that paid out in Irvington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Irvington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$12K to the Village of Irvington for repairs
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida81 households applied for aid$251K aid approved$2.0M to the Village of Irvington for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $730K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$77K to the Village of Irvington for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy32 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$424K to the Village of Irvington for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2011Hurricane Irene10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$88K to the Village of Irvington for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $234K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$81K to the Village of Irvington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$81K to the Village of Irvington for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$32K to the Village of Irvington for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$46K to the Village of Irvington for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $111K
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 Irvington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Irvington archive →Irvington and its neighbors
Irvington has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irvington | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Dobbs Ferry | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Tarrytown | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Orangetown | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 292 |
| Greenburgh | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 402 |
| Ardsley | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 229 |
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 Irvington 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 Irvington
Is Irvington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Irvington has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #28 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) 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 Irvington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 87 claims in Irvington since 1978, $3.3M in all, or 31.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (24).
Is Irvington 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 Irvington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Irvington’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 Irvington?
By FEMA money that reached Irvington, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 81 households applied for aid, $251K approved, and $2.0M to the Village of Irvington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 24 paid, $730K.
Is Irvington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Irvington’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Irvington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Irvington’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.