Photo: LINYperson615 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Westbury than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westbury gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #62 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Westbury 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
Earthquakes
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 Westbury’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westbury, and Westbury’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 13% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #62 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westbury’s residents live in 4 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, Westbury has less expected damage per building than 92% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Westbury: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westbury flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westbury, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Westbury isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nassau County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westbury
Disasters that paid out in Westbury itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Westbury), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida121 households applied for aid$81K aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$235K to the Village of Westbury for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy963 households applied for aid$229K aid approved$778K to the Village of Westbury for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene32 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$45K to the Village of Westbury for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Village of Westbury for repairs
- 2003Snow$23K to the Village of Westbury for repairs
Nassau County has had 22 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 Westbury after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westbury archive →Westbury and its neighbors
Westbury is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Westbury | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Mineola | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Westbury | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Hempstead | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 189 |
| Oyster Bay | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 4,654 |
| Carle Place | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| New Cassel | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Jericho | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| East Meadow | — | 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 Westbury 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Westbury
Is Westbury at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westbury has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #62 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westbury flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Westbury since 1979, $6K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Westbury 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 Nassau County, 76% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westbury?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Westbury’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 Westbury?
By FEMA money that reached Westbury, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 963 households applied for aid, $229K approved, and $778K to the Village of Westbury for repairs.
Is Westbury at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Westbury’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westbury.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westbury’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.