FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Upper Nyack than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Nyack gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1992.
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 Upper Nyack 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
Coastal 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 Upper Nyack’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Upper Nyack, and Upper Nyack’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Upper Nyack’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $358K a year in losses across Upper Nyack: $267K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Upper Nyack flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Upper Nyack, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $147K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $43K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $27K
Upper Nyack isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Upper Nyack
Disasters that paid out in Upper Nyack itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Upper Nyack), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$34K to the Village of Upper Nyack for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$59K to the Village of Upper Nyack for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $147K
- 2011Hurricane Irene1 households applied for aid$19K to the Village of Upper Nyack for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $43K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Village of Upper Nyack for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Village of Upper Nyack for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$59K to the Village of Upper Nyack for repairs
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 Upper Nyack after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Upper Nyack archive →Upper Nyack and its neighbors
Upper Nyack has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Nyack | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Nyack | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Ossining | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Briarcliff Manor | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Mount Pleasant | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| Clarkstown | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 724 |
| Orangetown | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 292 |
| Valley Cottage | — | 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 Upper Nyack 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.
- 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.
- 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 Upper Nyack
Is Upper Nyack at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Upper Nyack has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (15%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Upper Nyack flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Upper Nyack since 1992, $227K in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (2).
Is Upper Nyack 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 Upper Nyack?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Upper Nyack’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 Upper Nyack?
By FEMA money that reached Upper Nyack, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $59K to the Village of Upper Nyack for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2 paid, $147K.
Is Upper Nyack at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Upper Nyack’s rate for it is lower than 98% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Upper Nyack.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Upper Nyack’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.