Photo: Irina S.B. · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Pound Ridge’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pound Ridge 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 (81%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1980.
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 Pound Ridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pound Ridge 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 Pound Ridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pound Ridge, and Pound Ridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 72% 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 Pound Ridge’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, Pound Ridge has less expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Pound Ridge: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pound Ridge flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pound Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $27K
- The April 2007 nor’easter2 claims · $4K
Pound Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Westchester County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pound Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Pound Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pound Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida18 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$110K to the Town of Pound Ridge for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy46 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$185K to the Town of Pound Ridge for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene19 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$80K to the Town of Pound Ridge for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding10 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$101K to the Town of Pound Ridge for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$35K to the Town of Pound Ridge for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the Town of Pound Ridge for repairs
Westchester County has had 23 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 Pound Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pound Ridge archive →Pound Ridge and its neighbors
Pound Ridge has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pound Ridge | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Lewisboro | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| North Castle | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Bedford | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| New Canaan | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Stamford | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Scotts Corners | — | 719 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 Pound Ridge 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 Pound Ridge
Is Pound Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pound Ridge 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 (81%) and hurricanes (11%). 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 Pound Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Pound Ridge since 1980, $118K in all, or 7.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Pound Ridge 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 Westchester County, 64% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pound Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pound Ridge’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 Pound Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Pound Ridge, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 46 households applied for aid, $9K approved, and $185K to the Town of Pound Ridge for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $27K.
Is Pound Ridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Pound Ridge’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pound Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pound Ridge’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.