Photo: Tyler A. McNeil · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Nassau’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nassau gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 16 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 Nassau 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
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 Nassau’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nassau, and Nassau’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Nassau’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $351K a year in losses across Nassau: $286K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nassau flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nassau, from FEMA’s records: 31.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter3 claims · $13K
- Hurricane Sandy3 claims · $298K
- The “Halloween” storm2 claims · $11K
Nassau isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rensselaer County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nassau
Disasters that paid out in Nassau itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Nassau), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Village of Nassau for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene23 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2008Severe Winter Storm$6K to the Village of Nassau for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$851 aid approved$3K to the Village of Nassau for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes16 households applied for aid$446 aid approved
- 2002Snowstorms$3K to the Village of Nassau for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to the Village of Nassau for repairs
Rensselaer County has had 21 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 Nassau after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nassau archive →Nassau and its neighbors
Nassau 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schodack | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Nassau | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Nassau | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Nassau Lake | — | 830 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 Nassau 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.
- 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 Nassau
Is Nassau at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nassau has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). 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 Nassau flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Nassau since 1978, $338K in all, or 31.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (3).
Is Nassau 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 Rensselaer County, 1.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Nassau?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nassau’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 Nassau?
By FEMA money that reached Nassau, Hurricane Irene (2011): 23 households applied for aid, $33K approved. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 3 paid, $13K.
Is Nassau at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Nassau’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nassau.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nassau’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.