States › New York › Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
The NCEI record lists 877 events for Suffolk County, New York, between 1950 and 2026; damaging wind account for the largest share.
That is 96.3 events per 100 square miles, in line with the New York figure of 120.3, and 5.7 per 10,000 residents against 28.6 statewide.
25 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 5 deaths and 67 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $57M.
FEMA has designated the county in 36 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Severe Storm And Flooding (major disaster, 21 Oct 2024).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 33,936 claims since 1978, of which 27,319 were paid, totalling $1.1B (about $41K per paid claim). FEMA counts 26,160 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively High" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively High" ($321M a year across 18 hazards).
65 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 9 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with New York and the United States
| Measure | Suffolk County | New York | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 877 | 56,675 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 96.3 | 120.3 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 5.7 | 28.6 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 25 | 1,948 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 5 | 578 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $57M | $5.7B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 22.2 | 8.8 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $41K | $40K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 5.3 | 10.1 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 634 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 209 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan 1997 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | 1 | 24 | County |
| 7 Sep 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 72 mph | — | — | 1 | 2 | County |
| 31 Dec 1996 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 30 Jul 2014 | Dust Devil | Other | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 18 Aug 2018 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 19 Jul 2013 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 12 | County |
| 18 Jul 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | — | — | — | 5 | County |
| 2 Jun 1998 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 4 | County |
| 11 Mar 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 81 mph | — | — | — | 4 | County |
| 13 Aug 2014 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $35M | — | — | — | County |
| 13 Jul 2010 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 2 | County |
| 8 Aug 1999 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | $1.0M | — | — | 1 | County |
| 14 Oct 2005 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $11M | — | — | — | County |
| 2 Jun 2019 | Lightning | Lightning | — | $6K | — | — | 1 | County |
| 24 Jun 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | $500 | — | — | 1 | County |
| 10 Jul 1989 | Tornado | Tornado | F2 | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 9 Jan 1997 | Winter Weather | Winter | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 2 Jun 2000 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 31 May 2002 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
| 4 Jul 2006 | Lightning | Lightning | — | — | — | — | 1 | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 2024 | DR-4839 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 25 Aug 2024 | EM-3613 | Emergency | Severe Storm | Severe Storm And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 15 Mar 2023 | DR-4694 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 5 Sep 2021 | DR-4615 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 2 Sep 2021 | EM-3572 | Emergency | Hurricane | Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Public assistance |
| 22 Aug 2021 | EM-3565 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Henri | Public assistance |
| 2 Oct 2020 | DR-4567 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias | Public assistance |
| 20 Mar 2020 | DR-4480 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3434 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 12 Jul 2017 | DR-4322 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 23 Apr 2013 | DR-4111 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 30 Oct 2012 | DR-4085 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 2012 | EM-3351 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 31 Aug 2011 | DR-4020 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 26 Aug 2011 | EM-3328 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 18 Feb 2011 | DR-1957 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 16 Apr 2010 | DR-1899 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Public assistance |
| 31 Dec 2009 | DR-1869 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding Assoc W Td Ida & Nor'Easter | Public assistance |
| 24 Apr 2007 | DR-1692 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Inland And Coastal Flooding | Public assistance |
| 30 Sep 2005 | EM-3262 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 3 Aug 2004 | DR-1534 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | — |
| 23 Aug 2003 | EM-3186 | Emergency | Other | Power Outage | Public assistance |
| 27 Mar 2003 | EM-3184 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 11 Sep 2001 | DR-1391 | Major disaster | Fire | Fires And Explosions | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 11 Oct 2000 | EM-3155 | Emergency | Other | West Nile Virus | Public assistance |
| 19 Sep 1999 | DR-1296 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations | Public assistance |
| 19 Nov 1996 | DR-1146 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding, Heavy Rains, High Winds | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 12 Jan 1996 | DR-1083 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard Of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Public assistance |
| 17 Mar 1993 | EM-3107 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Severe Blizzard | Public assistance |
| 21 Dec 1992 | DR-974 | Major disaster | Flood | Coastal Storm, High Tides, Heavy Rain, & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 16 Sep 1991 | DR-918 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Bob | Public assistance |
| 18 Oct 1985 | DR-750 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Gloria | Public assistance |
| 17 Apr 1984 | DR-702 | Major disaster | Flood | Coastal Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 3 Sep 1976 | DR-520 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Belle | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Sep 1971 | DR-311 | Major disaster | Flood | Severe Storms & Flooding | Public assistance |
| 18 Aug 1965 | DR-204 | Major disaster | Drought | Water Shortage | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 19 | 4 | $26,892 | $6,723 |
| 2025 | 30 | 24 | $619,989 | $25,833 |
| 2024 | 494 | 389 | $24,115,567 | $61,994 |
| 2023 | 180 | 135 | $9,024,940 | $66,851 |
| 2022 | 76 | 50 | $1,302,139 | $26,043 |
| 2021 | 138 | 91 | $2,649,919 | $29,120 |
| 2020 | 51 | 28 | $429,249 | $15,330 |
| 2019 | 84 | 54 | $1,220,316 | $22,598 |
| 2018 | 171 | 110 | $2,304,681 | $20,952 |
| 2017 | 143 | 105 | $2,708,607 | $25,796 |
| 2016 | 44 | 22 | $103,883 | $4,722 |
| 2015 | 40 | 13 | $125,834 | $9,680 |
| 2014 | 614 | 464 | $6,969,223 | $15,020 |
| 2013 | 70 | 36 | $396,009 | $11,000 |
| 2012 | 13,307 | 12,236 | $866,275,561 | $70,797 |
| 2011 | 2,230 | 1,782 | $47,167,878 | $26,469 |
| 2010 | 1,059 | 822 | $7,019,858 | $8,540 |
| 2009 | 116 | 75 | $938,011 | $12,507 |
| 2008 | 83 | 50 | $410,349 | $8,207 |
| 2007 | 280 | 216 | $3,861,435 | $17,877 |
| 2006 | 93 | 62 | $627,609 | $10,123 |
| 2005 | 1,780 | 1,463 | $19,387,701 | $13,252 |
| 2004 | 69 | 37 | $228,376 | $6,172 |
| 2003 | 89 | 47 | $578,642 | $12,312 |
| 2002 | 51 | 22 | $331,975 | $15,090 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $193,341,419 | |
| Hurricane | $42,720,766 | |
| Coastal flooding | $25,320,023 | |
| Earthquake | $21,168,736 | |
| Cold wave | $13,840,560 | |
| Heat wave | $6,734,394 | |
| Strong wind | $5,756,253 | |
| Tornado | $3,593,603 | |
| Lightning | $3,134,307 | |
| Ice storm | $2,393,312 | |
| Winter weather | $2,020,650 | |
| Wildfire | $264,839 | |
| Hail | $185,948 | |
| Landslide | $33,182 | |
| Drought | $686 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsa | 2021 | 21 mi | 58 mph |
| Henri | 2021 | 53 mi | 63 mph |
| Ida | 2021 | 24 mi | 46 mph |
| Fay | 2020 | 99 mi | 40 mph |
| Andrea | 2013 | 86 mi | 46 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 72 mi | 63 mph |
| Hanna | 2008 | 84 mi | 52 mph |
| Barry | 2007 | 35 mi | 40 mph |
| Beryl | 2006 | 92 mi | 52 mph |
| Allison | 2001 | 72 mi | 40 mph |
| Floyd | 1999 | 48 mi | 58 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 90 mi | 69 mph |
| Josephine | 1996 | 88 mi | 52 mph |
| Bob | 1991 | 60 mi | 104 mph |
| Gloria | 1985 | 40 mi | 86 mph |
| Henri | 1985 | 14 mi | 40 mph |
| Belle | 1976 | 27 mi | 69 mph |
| Agnes | 1972 | 63 mi | 63 mph |
| Doria | 1971 | 55 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1968 | 40 mi | 63 mph |
| Alma | 1966 | 72 mi | 46 mph |
| Esther | 1961 | 73 mi | 86 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1961 | 25 mi | 63 mph |
| Brenda | 1960 | 66 mi | 58 mph |
| Donna | 1960 | 20 mi | 98 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 11757 4,759
- 11702 2,717
- 11701 2,340
- 11706 2,050
- 11770 1,887
- 11978 1,775
- 11795 1,533
- 11951 1,037
- 11782 1,011
- 11772 824
- 11726 808
- 11769 806
- 11968 758
- 11946 544
- 11901 510
- 11768 493
- 11934 451
- 11942 407
- 11967 390
- 11963 382
- 11959 375
- 11751 367
- 11937 354
- 11971 346
- 11977 308
- 10000 303
- 11743 266
- 11944 262
- 11715 258
- 11960 255
- 11930 252
- 11704 247
- 11705 240
- 11954 240
- 11952 207
- 11940 174
- 11719 163
- 11970 154
- 11787 153
- 11730 152
- 11746 149
- 11718 142
- 11935 138
- 11931 136
- 11976 134
- 11932 133
- 11947 124
- 11939 120
- 11962 102
- 11777 101
- 11779 100
- 11733 93
- 11948 88
- 11964 80
- 11792 77
- 11788 72
- 11957 70
- 11729 68
- 11780 67
- 11747 61
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Suffolk County, NY?
NCEI records 107 hail events in Suffolk County since 1950, in 27 different years; that is about 1.4 recorded events a year. 9 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Suffolk County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 32 tornadoes in Suffolk County since 1950, 2 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Suffolk County?
21 Oct 2024: Severe Storm And Flooding, a major disaster declaration for severe storm. The county appears in 36 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Suffolk County, and how much was paid?
33,936 NFIP claims since 1978, 27,319 of them paid, for $1.1B in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Suffolk County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively High" for overall risk, "Relatively High" for expected annual loss, "Relatively Low" for social vulnerability and "Very High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Suffolk County compare with the rest of New York?
96.3 recorded events per 100 square miles against 120.3 statewide, and 22.2 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 8.8. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.