On FEMA’s figures, New Hempstead faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Hempstead gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #72 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1999.
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 New Hempstead 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 New Hempstead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Hempstead, and New Hempstead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #72 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Hempstead’s residents live in 2 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, New Hempstead has less expected damage per building than 91% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $859K a year in losses across New Hempstead: $627K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Hempstead flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Hempstead, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $2K
New Hempstead isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockland County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to New Hempstead
Disasters that paid out in New Hempstead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Hempstead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Rockland County has had 21 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 New Hempstead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Hempstead archive →New Hempstead and its neighbors
New Hempstead has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hempstead | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| New Square | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Wesley Hills | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Spring Valley | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 216 |
| Hillcrest | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Viola | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Monsey | — | 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 New Hempstead 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 New Hempstead
Is New Hempstead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Hempstead has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #72 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Hempstead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in New Hempstead since 1999, $85K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (2).
Is New Hempstead 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 Rockland County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Hempstead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Hempstead’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 New Hempstead?
By FEMA money that reached New Hempstead, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 2 paid, $2K.
Is New Hempstead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and New Hempstead’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Hempstead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Hempstead’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.