Photo: Fife Club · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Northport than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northport gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #52 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 57 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 Northport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Northport 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 Northport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northport, and Northport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #52 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northport’s residents live in 2 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, Northport has less expected damage per building than 93% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Northport: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northport flood? Sometimes: 57 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northport, from FEMA’s records: 17.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy12 claims · $607K
- The December Storm - nor’easter11 claims · $178K
- The “Halloween” storm3 claims · $16K
Northport 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northport
Disasters that paid out in Northport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Northport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida76 households applied for aid$100K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy274 households applied for aid$313K aid approved12 flood claims paid for it, $607K
- 2011Hurricane Irene12 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
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 Northport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northport archive →Northport and its neighbors
Northport 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northport | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| East Northport | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Fort Salonga | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Centerport | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Asharoken | — | 805 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Northport 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 Northport
Is Northport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northport has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #52 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 57 claims in Northport since 1978, $1.0M in all, or 17.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (12).
Is Northport 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 Northport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northport’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 Northport?
By FEMA money that reached Northport, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 274 households applied for aid, $313K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 12 paid, $607K.
Is Northport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Northport’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northport’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.