Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Pomona than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pomona gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #407 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 25 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 Pomona’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pomona 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
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 Pomona’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pomona, and Pomona’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #407 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pomona’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, Pomona has more expected damage per building than 54% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Pomona: $907K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pomona flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pomona, from FEMA’s records: 23.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Vermont/New York Flooding2 claims · $29K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $124K
Pomona isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pomona
Disasters that paid out in Pomona itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pomona), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida39 households applied for aid$90K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy79 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$30K to the Village of Pomona for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene79 households applied for aid$243K aid approved$135K to the Village of Pomona for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Village of Pomona for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding8 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the Village of Pomona for repairs
Rockland County has had 21 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 Pomona after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pomona archive →Pomona and its neighbors
Pomona is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley Hills | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pomona | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Mount Ivy | — | 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 Pomona 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.
- 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 Pomona
Is Pomona at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pomona has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #407 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pomona flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Pomona since 1978, $240K in all, or 23.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Vermont/New York Flooding (2).
Is Pomona 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 Rockland County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pomona?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pomona’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 Pomona?
By FEMA money that reached Pomona, Hurricane Irene (2011): 79 households applied for aid, $243K approved, and $135K to the Village of Pomona for repairs. By flood claims, Vermont/New York Flooding: 2 paid, $29K.
Is Pomona at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Pomona’s rate for it is higher than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pomona.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pomona’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.