New York, New York: natural disaster risk
How exposed New York is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Kings County.
New York is a city of 8,483,844 people in Kings County, New York. Parts of New York also reach into Queens County, New York County, Bronx County and Richmond County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Kings County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, heat wave and earthquake, with about $375 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 214 storm reports in the county since 1961, including 3 tornadoes and 83 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 8 hurricanes and 24 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center, 1 of them major. About 2.9% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Kings County, the county with most of the population New York sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in New York
Full Kings County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $181M | |
| Heat wave | $63M | |
| Earthquake | $52M | |
| Hurricane | $31M | |
| Cold wave | $22M | |
| Strong wind | $10M | |
| Tornado | $6M | |
| Coastal flooding | $3M | |
| Hail | $2M | |
| Winter weather | $2M | |
| Lightning | $2M | |
| Ice storm | $775K |
Homes in New York
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Kings County
Other cities in New York
All ›Common questions about New York
Is New York safe from natural disasters?
New York is in Kings County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, heat wave, earthquake. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in New York?
By expected yearly losses in Kings County, the top hazards are inland flooding (Very High), heat wave (Very High), earthquake (High). Kings County has been part of 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does New York get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 3 tornadoes in Kings County since 1950; the strongest was an EF2 tornado on August 8, 2007 near Coney Is. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in New York?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Kings County, about 2.9% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk very high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.