John Philip Sousa House · Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in North Hempstead than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hempstead gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #102 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 189 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 Hempstead’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North 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
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 Hempstead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Hempstead, and North Hempstead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #102 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Hempstead’s residents live in 51 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 Hempstead has less expected damage per building than 87% of New York towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, North Hempstead has lower expected damage per building than 97% (#11 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $44.3M, is the 271th largest of those 400.
Does North Hempstead flood? Yes: 189 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Hempstead, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida16 claims · $335K
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $93K
North 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: Nassau County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Hempstead
Disasters that paid out in North Hempstead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Hempstead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$347K to the Town of North Hempstead for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $335K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$373K to the Town of North Hempstead for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$62.1M to the Town of North Hempstead for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $289K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$1.5M to the Town of North Hempstead for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $93K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$398K to the Town of North Hempstead for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$65K to the Town of North Hempstead for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Snow$147K to the Town of North Hempstead for repairs
Nassau County has had 22 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 Hempstead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Hempstead archive →North Hempstead and its neighbors
North Hempstead is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westbury | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Hempstead | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 189 |
| Garden City | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Oyster Bay | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 4,654 |
| New York | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 36,272 |
| Hempstead | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 19,033 |
| University Gardens | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| New Cassel | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Jericho | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North New Hyde Park | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Uniondale | — | 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 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.
- 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 Hempstead
Is North Hempstead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hempstead has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #102 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Hempstead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 189 claims in North Hempstead since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 24 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (16).
Is North 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 Nassau County, 76% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Hempstead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North 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 North Hempstead?
By FEMA money that reached North Hempstead, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $62.1M to the Town of North Hempstead for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 16 paid, $335K.
Is North Hempstead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and North Hempstead’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Hempstead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North 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.