Photo: Steve Carrea · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in White Plains than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Plains gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #145 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 127 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 White Plains’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What White Plains 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 White Plains’ grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in White Plains, and White Plains’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A #145 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
White Plains’ residents live in 15 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, White Plains has less expected damage per building than 81% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across White Plains: $6.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does White Plains flood? Yes: 127 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in White Plains, from FEMA’s records: 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida20 claims · $977K
- The April 2007 nor’easter12 claims · $221K
White Plains 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 White Plains
Disasters that paid out in White Plains itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of White Plains), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storm and Flooding$26K to the City of White Plains for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1,041 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$897K to the City of White Plains for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $977K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$758K to the City of White Plains for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy495 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$1.9M to the City of White Plains for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene212 households applied for aid$636K aid approved$291K to the City of White Plains for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $86K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$374K to the City of White Plains for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding220 households applied for aid$226K aid approved$18K to the City of White Plains for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Snow$92K to the City of White Plains for repairs
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 White Plains after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the White Plains archive →White Plains and its neighbors
White Plains has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Plains | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 127 |
| Greenburgh | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 402 |
| Scarsdale | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 403 |
| Harrison | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 777 |
| North Castle | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Harrison | — | 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 White Plains 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 White Plains
Is White Plains at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, White Plains has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #145 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does White Plains flood?
Flood insurance has paid 127 claims in White Plains since 1978, $1.7M in all, or 4.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 14 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (20).
Is White Plains 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 White Plains?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for White Plains’ 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 White Plains?
By FEMA money that reached White Plains, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,041 households applied for aid, $3.4M approved, and $897K to the City of White Plains for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 20 paid, $977K.
Is White Plains at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and White Plains’ rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in White Plains.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where White Plains’ 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.