Less hazard damage per building is expected in Roslyn than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roslyn gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #177 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 Roslyn’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roslyn 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
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 Roslyn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roslyn, and Roslyn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A #177 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Roslyn’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, Roslyn has less expected damage per building than 77% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $709K a year in losses across Roslyn: $638K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roslyn flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roslyn, from FEMA’s records: 20.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $27K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $6K
Roslyn 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roslyn
Disasters that paid out in Roslyn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Roslyn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida154 households applied for aid$361K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $63K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy221 households applied for aid$85K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $62K
- 2011Hurricane Irene16 households applied for aid$29K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $27K
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 Roslyn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roslyn archive →Roslyn and its neighbors
Roslyn is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Hills | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Flower Hill | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Roslyn Harbor | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Roslyn Estates | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Roslyn | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Roslyn Heights | — | 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 Roslyn 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.
- 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 Roslyn
Is Roslyn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roslyn has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #177 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) 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 Roslyn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Roslyn since 1978, $292K in all, or 20.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Roslyn 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 Roslyn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roslyn’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 Roslyn?
By FEMA money that reached Roslyn, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 154 households applied for aid, $361K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $27K.
Is Roslyn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Roslyn’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roslyn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roslyn’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.