Hempstead, NY
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Hempstead is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Nassau County, NY. The county's highest-rated hazards are winter weather, ice storm, and coastal flooding.
Storm events near Hempstead
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Hempstead's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Hempstead itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Nassau County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Hempstead along with the rest of the county, not a Hempstead-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 43.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 98.2 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 98.4 | Very High |
| Earthquake | 96.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 96 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 76.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 92.7 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 17.5 | Very Low |
| Hail | 23.4 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 95.4 | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | 98.7 | Very High |
| Landslide | 75.9 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 97.3 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 97.1 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 98.9 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Nassau County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Nassau County:
More on Nassau County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Hempstead, NY at risk of?
Hempstead is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Nassau County, where Hempstead is located, are winter weather, ice storm, and coastal flooding.
What is Hempstead's biggest natural hazard risk?
Winter Weather is the highest-rated hazard for Nassau County, where Hempstead is located, scoring 98.9 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Hempstead a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Hempstead carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Nassau County.
Has Hempstead had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 3 tornado, 30 hail, 401 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Hempstead since 2016.