Photo: Usa1926 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Island Park than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Island Park gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #743 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (69%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1,833 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 Island Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Island Park faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
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 Island Park’s grade
Coastal flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Island Park, and Island Park’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 24% (lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
D #743 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Island Park’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, Island Park has more expected damage per building than 98% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Island Park: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Island Park flood? Yes: 1,833 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Island Park, from FEMA’s records: 949.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy893 claims · $95.2M
- Hurricane Irene318 claims · $9.2M
- The December Storm - nor’easter226 claims · $2.9M
Island Park is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Nassau County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Island Park
Disasters that paid out in Island Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Island Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida17 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy3,626 households applied for aid$26.7M aid approved$4.6M to the Village of Island Park for repairs893 flood claims paid for it, $95.2M
- 2011Hurricane Irene298 households applied for aid$877K aid approved$99K to the Village of Island Park for repairs318 flood claims paid for it, $9.2M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Village of Island Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$47K to the Village of Island Park for repairs
- 2003Snow$8K to the Village of Island Park for repairs3 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 Island Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Island Park archive →Island Park and its neighbors
Island Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island Park | Dmore damage than 89% | coastal flooding | 1,833 |
| Harbor Isle | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Barnum Island | — | 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 Island Park faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Island Park 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 Island Park
Is Island Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Island Park has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #743 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (69%) and river and rain flooding (24%). 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 Island Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,833 claims in Island Park since 1978, $112M in all, or 949.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 352 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (893).
Is Island Park 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 Island Park?
Island Park 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 Island Park?
By FEMA money that reached Island Park, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 3,626 households applied for aid, $26.7M approved, and $4.6M to the Village of Island Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 893 paid, $95.2M.
Is Island Park at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Island Park’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Island Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Island Park’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.