Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Warwick faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warwick gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #524 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1979.
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 Warwick 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
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 Warwick’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Warwick, and Warwick’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #524 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Warwick’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, Warwick has more expected damage per building than 69% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Warwick: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Warwick flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Warwick, from FEMA’s records: 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $266K
- The Torrential rain4 claims · $44K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $15K
Warwick isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Warwick
Disasters that paid out in Warwick itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Warwick), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida18 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
- 2012Hurricane Sandy110 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$146K to the Village of Warwick for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee15 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$4K to the Village of Warwick for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene242 households applied for aid$558K aid approved$1.1M to the Village of Warwick for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $266K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the Village of Warwick for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding28 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$51K to the Village of Warwick for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$15K to the Village of Warwick for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$867 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Snow$12K to the Village of Warwick for repairs
- 2002Snowstorms$8K to the Village of Warwick for repairs
Orange County has had 25 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Orange County, 1999–2024.
Old photos of Warwick after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Warwick archive →Get ready for what Warwick 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.
- 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 Warwick
Is Warwick at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Warwick has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #524 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Warwick flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Warwick since 1979, $378K in all, or 9.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (12).
Is Warwick 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 Orange County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Warwick?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Warwick’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 Warwick?
By FEMA money that reached Warwick, Hurricane Irene (2011): 242 households applied for aid, $558K approved, and $1.1M to the Village of Warwick for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 12 paid, $266K.
Is Warwick at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Warwick’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Warwick.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Warwick’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.