Photo: Thunderbombman · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Larchmont faces less hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larchmont gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #322 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then coastal flooding (10%). Flood insurance has paid 381 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 Larchmont’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Larchmont 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
Coastal flooding
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 Larchmont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Larchmont, and Larchmont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #322 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Larchmont’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, Larchmont has less expected damage per building than 58% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Larchmont: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Larchmont flood? Yes: 381 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Larchmont, from FEMA’s records: 144.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida61 claims · $1.6M
- Hurricane Sandy58 claims · $2.9M
- The April 2007 nor’easter39 claims · $651K
Larchmont 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 Larchmont
Disasters that paid out in Larchmont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Larchmont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida459 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$274K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs61 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$99K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy123 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$362K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs58 flood claims paid for it, $2.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene32 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$23K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$51K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$117K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding240 households applied for aid$389K aid approved$474K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs46 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$18K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
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 Larchmont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Larchmont archive →Larchmont and its neighbors
Larchmont 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Rochelle | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 752 |
| Larchmont | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 381 |
| Mamaroneck | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 524 |
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 Larchmont 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.
- 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.
- 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 Larchmont
Is Larchmont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Larchmont has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #322 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and coastal flooding (10%). 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 Larchmont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 381 claims in Larchmont since 1978, $7.3M in all, or 144.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 52 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (61).
Is Larchmont 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 Larchmont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Larchmont’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 Larchmont?
By FEMA money that reached Larchmont, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 459 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $274K to the Village of Larchmont for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 61 paid, $1.6M.
Is Larchmont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Larchmont’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Larchmont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Larchmont’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.