Less hazard damage per building is expected in Williston Park than in 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williston Park gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #115 of 758 in New York. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 Williston Park 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 Williston Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williston Park, and Williston Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A #115 of 758 in New York; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williston Park’s residents live in 2 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, Williston Park has less expected damage per building than 85% of New York towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Williston Park: $929K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williston Park flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Williston Park, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Williston Park 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 Williston Park
Disasters that paid out in Williston Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Williston Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida44 households applied for aid$94K aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$111K to the Village of Williston Park for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy107 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$933K to the Village of Williston Park for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene6 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$75K to the Village of Williston Park for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Village of Williston Park for repairs
- 2003Snow$11K to the Village of Williston Park 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 Williston Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williston Park archive →Williston Park and its neighbors
Williston Park is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineola | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Williston Park | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| East Williston | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Herricks | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Albertson | — | 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 Williston Park 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 Williston Park
Is Williston Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williston Park has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #115 of 758 in New York. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Williston Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Williston Park since 1980, $1K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Williston Park 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 Williston Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williston Park’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 Williston Park?
By FEMA money that reached Williston Park, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 107 households applied for aid, $27K approved, and $933K to the Village of Williston Park for repairs.
Is Williston Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Williston Park’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williston Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williston Park’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.