Photo: AITFFan1 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Mineola than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mineola gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #60 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 2010.
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 Mineola 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 Mineola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mineola, and Mineola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 16% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #60 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mineola’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, Mineola has less expected damage per building than 92% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Mineola: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mineola flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mineola, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $949
- The Late summer storms1 claim · $8K
Mineola 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mineola
Disasters that paid out in Mineola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Mineola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida47 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy188 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $949
- 2011Hurricane Irene12 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Mineola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mineola archive →Mineola and its neighbors
Mineola is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Westbury | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Westbury | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Mineola | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Williston Park | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| East Williston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Garden City | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Carle Place | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Garden City Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Roslyn Heights | — | 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 Mineola 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 Mineola
Is Mineola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mineola has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #60 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mineola flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Mineola since 2010, $204K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Mineola 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 Mineola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mineola’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 Mineola?
By FEMA money that reached Mineola, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 47 households applied for aid, $14K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $949.
Is Mineola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Mineola’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mineola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mineola’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.