Photo: CaffeineCataloger · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Tarrytown’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tarrytown gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #151 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Tarrytown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tarrytown 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 Tarrytown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tarrytown, and Tarrytown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #151 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tarrytown’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, Tarrytown has less expected damage per building than 80% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Tarrytown: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tarrytown flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tarrytown, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $136K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $313K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $9K
Tarrytown 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tarrytown
Disasters that paid out in Tarrytown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Tarrytown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida89 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$176K to the Village of Tarrytown for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$102K to the Village of Tarrytown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy53 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$211K to the Village of Tarrytown for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $313K
- 2011Hurricane Irene6 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$97K to the Village of Tarrytown for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $136K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$35K to the Village of Tarrytown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding13 households applied for aid$10K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Snow$26K to the Village of Tarrytown for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$33K to the Village of Tarrytown for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $9K
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 Tarrytown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tarrytown archive →Tarrytown and its neighbors
Tarrytown is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irvington | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 87 |
| Mount Pleasant | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| Tarrytown | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Orangetown | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 292 |
| Greenburgh | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 402 |
| Sleepy Hollow | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Tarrytown 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 Tarrytown
Is Tarrytown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tarrytown has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #151 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tarrytown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Tarrytown since 1978, $934K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Tarrytown 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 Tarrytown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tarrytown’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 Tarrytown?
By FEMA money that reached Tarrytown, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 89 households applied for aid, $118K approved, and $176K to the Village of Tarrytown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $136K.
Is Tarrytown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Tarrytown’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tarrytown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tarrytown’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.