FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lake Grove than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Grove gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #164 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Lake Grove 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 Lake Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Grove, and Lake Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 14% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A #164 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lake Grove’s residents live in 3 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, Lake Grove has less expected damage per building than 78% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Lake Grove: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Grove flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Grove, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $16K
Lake Grove 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Grove
Disasters that paid out in Lake Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lake Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida48 households applied for aid$113K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy115 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene12 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
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 Lake Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Grove archive →Lake Grove and its neighbors
Lake Grove is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithtown | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Lake Grove | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Brookhaven | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3,825 |
| Lake Ronkonkoma | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Centereach | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Nesconset | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| St. James | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Stony Brook | — | 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 Lake Grove 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 Lake Grove
Is Lake Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Grove has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #164 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lake Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Lake Grove since 2021, $16K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (1).
Is Lake Grove 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 Lake Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Grove’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 Lake Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Grove, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 48 households applied for aid, $113K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 1 paid, $16K.
Is Lake Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Lake Grove’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Grove’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.