FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Haven than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Haven gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 Haven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Haven 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
Coastal 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 North Haven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Haven, and North Haven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Haven’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $373K a year in losses across North Haven: $346K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Haven flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Haven, from FEMA’s records: 50.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain9 claims · $128K
- Hurricane Sandy6 claims · $152K
- The December Storm - nor’easter5 claims · $36K
North Haven 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.The storms North Haven remembers
None of the 26 disasters declared for Suffolk County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching North Haven itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 200510 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20126 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Sandy, declared for Suffolk County
- 19925 flood claims paidThe year of Coastal Storm, High Tides, Heavy Rain, and Flooding, declared for Suffolk County
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 North Haven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Haven archive →North Haven and its neighbors
North Haven has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Haven | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Noyack | — | 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 Haven 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.
- 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.
- 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 Haven
Is North Haven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Haven has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (16%). 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 North Haven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in North Haven since 1978, $496K in all, or 50.7 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 Torrential rain (9).
Is North Haven 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 North Haven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Haven’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 Haven?
By flood claims, Torrential rain: 9 paid, $128K.
Is North Haven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and North Haven’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Haven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Haven’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.