Photo: Infrastorian · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lynbrook than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynbrook gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #405 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2011.
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 Lynbrook 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 Lynbrook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lynbrook, and Lynbrook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #405 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lynbrook’s residents live in 4 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, Lynbrook has more expected damage per building than 53% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Lynbrook: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lynbrook flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lynbrook, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $15K
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $59K
- The Late-September New York Flooding1 claim · $19K
Lynbrook 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lynbrook
Disasters that paid out in Lynbrook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Lynbrook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida62 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$233K to the Village of Lynbrook for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy312 households applied for aid$130K aid approved$419K to the Village of Lynbrook for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $59K
- 2011Hurricane Irene12 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$52K to the Village of Lynbrook for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $15K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$62K to the Village of Lynbrook for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$83K to the Village of Lynbrook for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$30K to the Village of Lynbrook 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 Lynbrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lynbrook archive →Lynbrook and its neighbors
Lynbrook has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynbrook | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Valley Stream | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 232 |
| Malverne | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| East Rockaway | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 1,026 |
| Rockville Centre | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Hewlett | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North Lynbrook | — | 922 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lakeview | — | 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 Lynbrook 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 Lynbrook
Is Lynbrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lynbrook has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #405 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lynbrook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Lynbrook since 2011, $94K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Lynbrook 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 Lynbrook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lynbrook’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 Lynbrook?
By FEMA money that reached Lynbrook, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 312 households applied for aid, $130K approved, and $419K to the Village of Lynbrook for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $15K.
Is Lynbrook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Lynbrook’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lynbrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lynbrook’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.