Natural Disaster Risk in Forest Hills
New York
Risk Summary for Forest Hills
Forest Hills scores 7.8/10 (High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Coastal Flooding.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
Above-average risk — check your policy limits
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover all hazards rated highly in this area. Verify that your policy includes adequate coverage for the top local hazards, and ask your insurer about specific endorsements or separate policies (e.g., flood, earthquake).
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Forest Hills, New York
Forest Hills, in Queens County, is a city of 76,839 residents situated along the northeastern Atlantic Seaboard. Its humid continental climate brings cold winters, warm summers, and significant regional climate variation, and in particular nor'easters and lake-effect snowstorms. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Forest Hills residents and property owners must navigate.
Forest Hills's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.8/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The risk of coastal inundation tops the local hazard profile, with the area exposed to storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action during major coastal storm events. Secondary hazards include cold wave and heat.
Within New York, Forest Hills's risk is, considerably above the 6.1/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Queens County identifies coastal flood as the foremost hazard, followed by cold wave and heat. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Forest Hills's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.
What this means for Forest Hills: Coastal Flooding preparedness
- Elevate utilities and consider flood-resistant construction in low-lying shoreline areas.
- Coastal flood and storm-surge damage requires separate flood insurance, not standard homeowners coverage.
- Know your evacuation zone and monitor tidal and surge forecasts during coastal storms.
Local Factors for Forest Hills
These city-level factors differentiate Forest Hills from other communities in Queens County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
76,839
UrbanGeographic Zone
Atlantic Coast
Hurricane, nor'easter & coastal flood risk
Climate Band
Moderate Continental
Latitude 40.7°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Lower — moist climate limits wildfire frequency
Fire score: 2.6/10
Coordinates
40.7231° N, 73.8437° W
Queens County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Forest Hills
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Forest Hills
Other cities in New York
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.