FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lake Success than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Success gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #96 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Lake Success 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
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
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 Success’ grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lake Success, and Lake Success’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 13% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #96 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lake Success’ 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, Lake Success has less expected damage per building than 87% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Lake Success: $942K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lake Success flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lake Success, from FEMA’s records: 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $14K
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $2K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $25K
Lake Success 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lake Success
Disasters that paid out in Lake Success itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lake Success), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida4 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$15K to the Village of Lake Success for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$95K to the Village of Lake Success for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1 households applied for aid$453K to the Village of Lake Success for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$45K to the Village of Lake Success for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $25K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Village of Lake Success for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$10K to the Village of Lake Success 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 Lake Success after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lake Success archive →Lake Success and its neighbors
Lake Success has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Success | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Hempstead | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 189 |
| North Hills | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| New York | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 36,272 |
| University Gardens | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Manhasset | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Manhasset Hills | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North New Hyde Park | — | 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 Success 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Success
Is Lake Success at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lake Success has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #96 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (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 Lake Success flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Lake Success since 1978, $494K in all, or 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (3).
Is Lake Success 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 Lake Success?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lake Success’ 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 Success?
By FEMA money that reached Lake Success, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $453K to the Village of Lake Success for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $14K.
Is Lake Success at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Lake Success’ rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lake Success.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lake Success’ 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.