Photo: Hayden Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Southampton than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southampton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #266 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then coastal flooding (14%). Flood insurance has paid 2,567 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 Southampton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Southampton 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
Coastal 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 Southampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southampton, and Southampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 14%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #266 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southampton’s residents live in 21 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, Southampton has less expected damage per building than 65% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.8M a year in losses across Southampton: $25.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southampton flood? Yes: 2,567 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southampton, from FEMA’s records: 55.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy909 claims · $47.6M
- The December Storm - nor’easter285 claims · $9.2M
- The “Halloween” storm175 claims · $3.5M
Southampton 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southampton
Disasters that paid out in Southampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Southampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$158K to the Town of Southampton for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$160K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2013Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$236K to the Town of Southampton for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$5.5M to the Town of Southampton for repairs909 flood claims paid for it, $47.6M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$772K to the Town of Southampton for repairs158 flood claims paid for it, $5.6M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$493K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Assoc W Td Ida and Nor’easter$231K to the Town of Southampton for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$11K to the Town of Southampton for repairs47 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$191K to the Town of Southampton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$25K to the Town of Southampton for repairs
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 Southampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southampton archive →Southampton and its neighbors
Southampton is 3rd of the 4 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 Hampton | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 587 |
| Riverhead | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 632 |
| Southampton | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2,567 |
| Brookhaven | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 3,825 |
| Riverside | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Fire Island | — | 352 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Wainscott | — | 612 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| West Hampton Dunes | — | 107 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Calverton | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Sagaponack | — | 303 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Flanders | — | 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 Southampton 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.
- 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.
- 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 Southampton
Is Southampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southampton has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #266 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and coastal flooding (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,567 claims in Southampton since 1978, $82.4M in all, or 55.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 361 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (909).
Is Southampton 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 Southampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southampton’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 Southampton?
By FEMA money that reached Southampton, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $5.5M to the Town of Southampton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 909 paid, $47.6M.
Is Southampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Southampton’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southampton’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.