Photo: Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Lewisboro than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisboro gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #153 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1979.
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 Lewisboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lewisboro 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
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 Lewisboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lewisboro, and Lewisboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #153 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lewisboro’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, Lewisboro has less expected damage per building than 80% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Lewisboro: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lewisboro flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lewisboro, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $74K
- The Late-September New York Flooding1 claim · $242K
Lewisboro 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lewisboro
Disasters that paid out in Lewisboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Lewisboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$253K to the Town of Lewisboro for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$72K to the Town of Lewisboro for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $74K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$49K to the Town of Lewisboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$43K to the Town of Lewisboro for repairs1 flood claim 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 Lewisboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lewisboro archive →Lewisboro and its neighbors
Lewisboro is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pound Ridge | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Somers | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Lewisboro | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| North Salem | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Bedford | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Ridgefield | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| Wilton | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 119 |
| New Canaan | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Golden's Bridge | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| West Mountain | — | 387 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Lewisboro 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.
- 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 Lewisboro
Is Lewisboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lewisboro has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #153 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lewisboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Lewisboro since 1979, $379K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Lewisboro 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 Lewisboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lewisboro’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 Lewisboro?
By FEMA money that reached Lewisboro, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $253K to the Town of Lewisboro for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $74K.
Is Lewisboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Lewisboro’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lewisboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lewisboro’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.