Photo: Iracaz · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Port Jefferson than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Jefferson gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #42 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 74 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 stands out about Port Jefferson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Jefferson 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 Port Jefferson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Jefferson, and Port Jefferson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #42 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Jefferson’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, Port Jefferson has less expected damage per building than 95% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Port Jefferson: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Jefferson flood? Sometimes: 74 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Jefferson, from FEMA’s records: 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter11 claims · $186K
- Hurricane Sandy8 claims · $509K
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $1.0M
Port Jefferson 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 Port Jefferson
Disasters that paid out in Port Jefferson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Port Jefferson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida50 households applied for aid$61K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
- 2012Hurricane Sandy62 households applied for aid$27K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $509K
- 2011Hurricane Irene5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Port Jefferson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Jefferson archive →Port Jefferson and its neighbors
Port Jefferson 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Jefferson | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Mount Sinai | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Belle Terre | — | 740 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| East Setauket | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Port Jefferson Station | — | 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 Port Jefferson 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 Port Jefferson
Is Port Jefferson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Jefferson has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #42 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Jefferson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 74 claims in Port Jefferson since 1979, $5.0M in all, or 20.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (11).
Is Port Jefferson 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 Port Jefferson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Jefferson’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 Port Jefferson?
By FEMA money that reached Port Jefferson, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 50 households applied for aid, $61K approved. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 11 paid, $186K.
Is Port Jefferson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Port Jefferson’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Jefferson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Jefferson’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.