Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, North Castle faces less hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Castle gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #197 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 43 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 North Castle’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Castle 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 North Castle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Castle, and North Castle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #197 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Castle’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, North Castle has less expected damage per building than 74% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across North Castle: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Castle flood? Sometimes: 43 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Castle, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida4 claims · $68K
- The Late-September New York Flooding3 claims · $87K
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $27K
North Castle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Westchester County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Castle
Disasters that paid out in North Castle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Castle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$8K to the Town of North Castle for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $68K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$353K to the Town of North Castle for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$584K to the Town of North Castle for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$258K to the Town of North Castle for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $78K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$162K to the Town of North Castle for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$61K to the Town of North Castle for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$57K to the Town of North Castle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$40K to the Town of North Castle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Westchester County has had 23 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 North Castle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Castle archive →North Castle and its neighbors
North Castle is 6th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pound Ridge | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Mount Pleasant | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| White Plains | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| Greenburgh | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 402 |
| Harrison | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 777 |
| North Castle | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Greenwich | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1,198 |
| Stamford | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Harrison | — | not graded yet | |
| Valhalla | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Armonk | — | 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 North Castle 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 North Castle
Is North Castle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Castle has lower expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #197 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Castle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 43 claims in North Castle since 1978, $456K in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (4).
Is North Castle 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 Westchester County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Castle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Castle’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 North Castle?
By FEMA money that reached North Castle, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $584K to the Town of North Castle for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 4 paid, $68K.
Is North Castle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and North Castle’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Castle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Castle’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.