Photo: Alexisrael · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Suffern than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Suffern gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #596 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 372 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 Suffern’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Suffern 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
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 Suffern’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Suffern, and Suffern’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #596 of 758 in New York; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Suffern’s residents live in 3 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, Suffern has more expected damage per building than 79% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Suffern: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Suffern flood? Yes: 372 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Suffern, from FEMA’s records: 77.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene126 claims · $3.1M
- Hurricane Floyd90 claims · $1.4M
Suffern is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Rockland County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Suffern
Disasters that paid out in Suffern itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Suffern), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida100 households applied for aid$210K aid approved$441K to the Village of Suffern for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$25K to the Village of Suffern for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy120 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$159K to the Village of Suffern for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene304 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$503K to the Village of Suffern for repairs126 flood claims paid for it, $3.1M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$39K to the Village of Suffern for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$92K to the Village of Suffern for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding44 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$30K to the Village of Suffern for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$15K to the Village of Suffern for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$125K to the Village of Suffern for repairs90 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
Rockland County has had 21 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 Suffern after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Suffern archive →Suffern and its neighbors
Suffern is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airmont | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Montebello | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Suffern | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 372 |
| Hillburn | — | not graded yet | |
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 Suffern 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.
- 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.
- Suffern residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Suffern
Is Suffern at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Suffern has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #596 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Suffern flood?
Flood insurance has paid 372 claims in Suffern since 1978, $5.1M in all, or 77.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 30 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (126).
Is Suffern 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 Rockland County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Suffern?
Suffern is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Suffern?
By FEMA money that reached Suffern, Hurricane Irene (2011): 304 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $503K to the Village of Suffern for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 126 paid, $3.1M.
Is Suffern at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Suffern’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Suffern.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Suffern’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.