Photo: LINYperson615 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Kensington than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kensington gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1981.
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 Kensington 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 Kensington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kensington, and Kensington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Kensington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $229K a year in losses across Kensington: $200K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kensington flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kensington, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $680
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $4K
Kensington 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kensington
Disasters that paid out in Kensington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Kensington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$22K to the Village of Kensington for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$150K to the Village of Kensington for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$11K to the Village of Kensington for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Village of Kensington 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 Kensington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kensington archive →Kensington and its neighbors
Kensington is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomaston | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Kensington | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Great Neck | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
| Great Neck Plaza | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Great Neck Estates | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Great Neck Gardens | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| 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 Kensington 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 Kensington
Is Kensington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kensington has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Kensington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Kensington since 1981, $11K in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (1).
Is Kensington 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 Kensington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kensington’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 Kensington?
By FEMA money that reached Kensington, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $150K to the Village of Kensington for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 1 paid, $680.
Is Kensington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Kensington’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kensington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kensington’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.