Photo: Cinquin, Rene; Metropolitan Aero-View Co. · Public domainLindenhurst’s building-damage rate from coastal flooding is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lindenhurst gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #508 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then coastal flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 2,523 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 Lindenhurst’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lindenhurst 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
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 Lindenhurst’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lindenhurst, and Lindenhurst’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #508 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lindenhurst’s residents live in 6 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, Lindenhurst has more expected damage per building than 67% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Lindenhurst: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lindenhurst flood? Yes: 2,523 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lindenhurst, from FEMA’s records: 276.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy969 claims · $77.6M
- The December Storm - nor’easter307 claims · $3.0M
- Hurricane Irene280 claims · $7.4M
Lindenhurst 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lindenhurst
Disasters that paid out in Lindenhurst itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lindenhurst), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida129 households applied for aid$56K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$290K to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy4,117 households applied for aid$24.2M aid approved$3.6M to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs969 flood claims paid for it, $77.6M
- 2011Hurricane Irene251 households applied for aid$558K aid approved$206K to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs280 flood claims paid for it, $7.4M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$126K to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$25K to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$40K to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$13K to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Lindenhurst after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lindenhurst archive →Lindenhurst and its neighbors
Lindenhurst has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lindenhurst | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2,523 |
| West Babylon | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Copiague | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North Lindenhurst | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North Amityville | — | 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 Lindenhurst 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.
- 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 Lindenhurst
Is Lindenhurst at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lindenhurst has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #508 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and coastal flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lindenhurst flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,523 claims in Lindenhurst since 1978, $97.4M in all, or 276.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 364 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (969).
Is Lindenhurst 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 Lindenhurst?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lindenhurst’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 Lindenhurst?
By FEMA money that reached Lindenhurst, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 4,117 households applied for aid, $24.2M approved, and $3.6M to the Village of Lindenhurst for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 969 paid, $77.6M.
Is Lindenhurst at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Lindenhurst’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lindenhurst.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lindenhurst’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.