FEMA puts New Square’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Square gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #226 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 New Square 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
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 New Square’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Square, and New Square’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A #226 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Square’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 Square has less expected damage per building than 70% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $955K a year in losses across New Square: $551K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Square flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Square, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $15K
New Square 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Square
Disasters that paid out in New Square itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of New Square), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1 households applied for aid$130K to the Village of New Square for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to the Village of New Square for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the Village of New Square for repairs
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 Square after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Square archive →New Square and its neighbors
New Square is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hempstead | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| New Square | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Hillcrest | — | 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 Square 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.
- 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 New Square
Is New Square at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Square has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #226 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Square flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in New Square since 1978, $28K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is New Square 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 Square?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Square’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 Square?
By FEMA money that reached New Square, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $130K to the Village of New Square for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $15K.
Is New Square at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and New Square’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Square.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Square’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.