Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Smithtown than in 98% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithtown gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns, #36 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 225 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 Smithtown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Smithtown 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 Smithtown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smithtown, and Smithtown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #36 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smithtown’s residents live in 27 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, Smithtown has less expected damage per building than 95% of New York towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Smithtown has lower expected damage per building than 99% (#3 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $20.6M, is the 385th largest of those 400.
Does Smithtown flood? Yes: 225 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smithtown, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy5 claims · $289K
- The December Storm - nor’easter5 claims · $211K
Smithtown 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Smithtown
Disasters that paid out in Smithtown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Smithtown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storm and Flooding$1.5M to the Town of Smithtown for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida125 households applied for aid$115K aid approved$69K to the Town of Smithtown for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$2.5M to the Town of Smithtown for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$472K to the Town of Smithtown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy399 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$7.0M to the Town of Smithtown for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $289K
- 2011Hurricane Irene32 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$1.1M to the Town of Smithtown for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $41K
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$933 to the Town of Smithtown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$88K to the Town of Smithtown for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$7K to the Town of Smithtown for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$285K to the Town of Smithtown for repairs
- 2002Flooding$2K to the Town of Smithtown for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$22K to the Town of Smithtown for repairs1 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 Smithtown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smithtown archive →Smithtown and its neighbors
Smithtown has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smithtown | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Huntington | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 411 |
| Head of the Harbor | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Islip | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 4,791 |
| Brookhaven | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3,825 |
| Stony Brook | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Commack | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Lake Ronkonkoma | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Brentwood | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| East Northport | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Hauppauge | — | 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 Smithtown 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 Smithtown
Is Smithtown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithtown has lower expected damage per building than 98% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #36 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smithtown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 225 claims in Smithtown since 1978, $2.1M in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (5).
Is Smithtown 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 Smithtown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smithtown’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 Smithtown?
By FEMA money that reached Smithtown, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 399 households applied for aid, $61K approved, and $7.0M to the Town of Smithtown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 5 paid, $289K.
Is Smithtown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Smithtown’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smithtown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smithtown’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.