FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Nissequogue than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nissequogue gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then coastal flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 34 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 stands out about Nissequogue’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Nissequogue 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
Coastal flooding
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 Nissequogue’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nissequogue, and Nissequogue’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Nissequogue’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $470K a year in losses across Nissequogue: $426K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nissequogue flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nissequogue, from FEMA’s records: 53.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy13 claims · $559K
- The December Storm - nor’easter8 claims · $52K
- The “Halloween” storm3 claims · $14K
Nissequogue isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Suffolk County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nissequogue
Disasters that paid out in Nissequogue itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Nissequogue), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding$331K to the Village of Nissequogue for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$33K to the Village of Nissequogue for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$69K to the Village of Nissequogue for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $559K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$23K to the Village of Nissequogue for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $50K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to the Village of Nissequogue for repairs
- 2003Snow$12K to the Village of Nissequogue for repairs
Suffolk County has had 26 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 Nissequogue after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nissequogue archive →Nissequogue and its neighbors
Nissequogue 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of the Harbor | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Nissequogue | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Kings Park | — | 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 Nissequogue 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Nissequogue
Is Nissequogue at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nissequogue has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and coastal flooding (24%). 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 Nissequogue flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Nissequogue since 1978, $765K in all, or 53.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (13).
Is Nissequogue 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 Suffolk County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Nissequogue?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nissequogue’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 Nissequogue?
By FEMA money that reached Nissequogue, Severe Storm and Flooding (2024): $331K to the Village of Nissequogue for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 13 paid, $559K.
Is Nissequogue at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Nissequogue’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nissequogue.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nissequogue’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.