Photo: Doc Searls · CC BY 2.0FEMA puts Sands Point’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sands Point gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #78 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 81 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 Sands Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sands Point 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
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 Sands Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sands Point, and Sands Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #78 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sands Point’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, Sands Point has less expected damage per building than 90% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $748K a year in losses across Sands Point: $676K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sands Point flood? Sometimes: 81 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sands Point, from FEMA’s records: 89.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The December Storm - nor’easter16 claims · $404K
- Hurricane Ida13 claims · $587K
- Hurricane Sandy8 claims · $304K
Sands Point 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sands Point
Disasters that paid out in Sands Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Sands Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida5 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$152K to the Village of Sands Point for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $587K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$246K to the Village of Sands Point for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy20 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$506K to the Village of Sands Point for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $304K
- 2011Hurricane Irene1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$108K to the Village of Sands Point for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to the Village of Sands Point for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$13K to the Village of Sands Point for repairs
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 Sands Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sands Point archive →Sands Point and its neighbors
Sands Point has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. 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 |
| 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 Sands Point 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.
- 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 Sands Point
Is Sands Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sands Point has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #78 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (13%). 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 Sands Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 81 claims in Sands Point since 1978, $1.9M in all, or 89.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from December Storm - Nor'easter (16).
Is Sands Point 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 Sands Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sands Point’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 Sands Point?
By FEMA money that reached Sands Point, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 20 households applied for aid, $14K approved, and $506K to the Village of Sands Point for repairs. By flood claims, December Storm - Nor'easter: 16 paid, $404K.
Is Sands Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Sands Point’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sands Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sands Point’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.