East Rockaway, New York Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
East Rockaway faces coastal flooding from the Atlantic Ocean and bay flooding along the South Shore of Long Island in Nassau County. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 caused devastating flooding from storm surge throughout the village.
Nassau County has recorded 51,509 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $2.3B in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 2
NFIP Policies
47,289
Nassau County
Avg. Premium
$1,362/yr
Nassau County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Nassau County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $183.9M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $24.3M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $27.1M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Nassau County
Nassau County has been included in 16 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 8 earlier declarations since 1971.
These declarations affected communities across Nassau County, including East Rockaway.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Nassau County
Properties in Nassau County have filed 51,509 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.3B in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $44K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
27,136 claims - $2.0B
2011
7,257 claims - $134.1M
1992
3,671 claims - $37.8M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Nassau County
An estimated 9% of households in Nassau County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk with below-average insurance coverage.
Penetration Rate
9%
Claims Ratio
1 in 1
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$43,960
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Nassau County
Nassau County has 6,632 properties with multiple flood losses, including 679 severe repetitive loss properties. 130 properties have been mitigated.
Multiple Loss
6,632
Severe Rep. Loss
679
Mitigated
130
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: NASSAU County
NOAA has recorded 192 flood events in NASSAU County since 1996, causing $19.2M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Nassau County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 114 properties in Nassau County, investing $1.5M in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in East Rockaway
East Rockaway faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in East Rockaway are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $183.9M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in East Rockaway's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in East Rockaway means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any East Rockaway address.
Flood Insurance Discount: East Rockaway
East Rockaway participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 9
SFHA Premium Discount
5% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). East Rockaway's Class 9 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 5% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
East Rockaway, NY Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in East Rockaway, NY?
The most common FEMA flood zones in East Rockaway are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in East Rockaway?
If your East Rockaway property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in East Rockaway?
Enter your East Rockaway address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does East Rockaway offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. East Rockaway participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 9 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 5% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has East Rockaway experienced major flooding events?
Nassau County, where East Rockaway is located, has been part of 16 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storm and Flooding in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in East Rockaway?
Nassau County has recorded 51,509 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $2.3B in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 27,136 claims and $2.0B in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including East Rockaway.
How many flood insurance policies are active in East Rockaway?
Nassau County currently has 47,289 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,362. The most policies are in Zone AE (34,721 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many East Rockaway properties have flooded repeatedly?
Nassau County has 6,632 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 679 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my East Rockaway property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in East Rockaway?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In East Rockaway's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other New York Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.