Photo: AITFFan1 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in North Hills than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hills gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #116 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
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 North Hills 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 Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Hills, and North Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A #116 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Hills’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New York town has lower expected damage than 69% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Hills has less expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across North Hills: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Hills flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Hills, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
North Hills 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to North Hills
Disasters that paid out in North Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of North Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Hills archive →North Hills and its neighbors
North Hills is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Success | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| North Hills | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Roslyn Estates | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Manhasset | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Searingtown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Manhasset Hills | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Roslyn Heights | — | 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 Hills 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 Hills
Is North Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Hills has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #116 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (12%). 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 Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in North Hills since 1979, $42K in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is North Hills 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 Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Hills’ 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 Hills?
By FEMA money that reached North Hills, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is North Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and North Hills’ rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Hills’ 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.