Photo: AITFFan1 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Port Washington North than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Washington North gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #113 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 Port Washington North’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Washington North 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 Port Washington North’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Washington North, and Port Washington North’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A #113 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Port Washington North’s 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, Port Washington North has less expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $605K a year in losses across Port Washington North: $530K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Washington North flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Washington North, from FEMA’s records: 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter4 claims · $141K
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $13K
Port Washington North 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Washington North
Disasters that paid out in Port Washington North itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Port Washington North), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$3K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$43K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$126K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$24K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$17K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Port Washington North after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Washington North archive →Port Washington North and its neighbors
Port Washington North is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sands Point | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 81 |
| Baxter Estates | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Port Washington North | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Manorhaven | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 56 |
| Port Washington | — | 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 Washington North 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 Port Washington North
Is Port Washington North at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Washington North has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #113 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) 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 Port Washington North flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Port Washington North since 1978, $205K in all, or 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (4).
Is Port Washington North 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 Port Washington North?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Washington North’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 Washington North?
By FEMA money that reached Port Washington North, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $126K to the Village of Port Washington North for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 4 paid, $141K.
Is Port Washington North at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Port Washington North’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Washington North.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Washington North’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.