Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Somers than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somers gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #148 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 28 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 Somers’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Somers 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 Somers’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somers, and Somers’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #148 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somers’ residents live in 5 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, Somers has less expected damage per building than 81% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Somers: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somers flood? Sometimes: 28 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somers, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $24K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $24K
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $50K
Somers 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 Somers
Disasters that paid out in Somers itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Somers), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida25 households applied for aid$51K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $50K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$253K to the Town of Somers for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy17 households applied for aid$298K to the Town of Somers for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene9 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$63K to the Town of Somers for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $24K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$23K to the Town of Somers for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$51K to the Town of Somers for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$438K to the Town of Somers for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $188K
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 Somers after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somers archive →Somers and its neighbors
Somers is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Somers | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Lewisboro | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| New Castle | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 143 |
| Yorktown | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 144 |
| North Salem | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Bedford | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Golden's Bridge | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Jefferson Valley-Yorktown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Yorktown Heights | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Mahopac | — | 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 Somers 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 Somers
Is Somers at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somers has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #148 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Somers flood?
Flood insurance has paid 28 claims in Somers since 1978, $368K in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (3).
Is Somers 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 Somers?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somers’ 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 Somers?
By FEMA money that reached Somers, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $438K to the Town of Somers for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 3 paid, $24K.
Is Somers at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Somers’ rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somers.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somers’ 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.