· By Unified Public Advocacy
Staten Island sustained the most severe human and property losses of any New York City borough during Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. The island's northern and eastern shores — particularly the low-lying communities of Midland Beach, New Dorp Beach, Oakwood Beach, South Beach, and Great Kills — bore the full force of Upper New York Bay storm surge, which topped eight feet in some locations. The South Shore's proximity to Lower New York Bay and the Raritan Bay added additional surge exposure from that direction.
Staten Island's geography, topography, and existing FEMA flood zone designations make it one of the highest-risk locations for flood and storm surge damage in New York City. If your Staten Island property has sustained flood damage, the documentation you create in the first hours will be the foundation of your claim.
Staten Island flood risk by area
- The East Shore (South Beach, Midland Beach, New Dorp Beach, Oakwood Beach, Great Kills) faces direct storm surge from Upper New York Bay during major coastal storms.
- The South Shore (Tottenville, Richmond Valley, Charleston, Rossville) faces surge from Raritan Bay and Lower New York Bay.
- Much of Staten Island's eastern and southern coast is in FEMA Flood Zone AE.
- Oakwood Beach and adjacent communities along Miller Field have seen repetitive flood losses; some properties in those areas were acquired by New York State in post-Sandy buyout programs.
- The West Shore is generally at lower flood risk but faces flooding from rainfall and stormwater management.
Superstorm Sandy: the documented baseline event
Superstorm Sandy made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey on October 29, 2012. The resulting storm surge swept across Staten Island's East Shore with sustained surge elevations that destroyed or severely damaged thousands of structures. Staten Island was the borough with the highest number of Sandy fatalities in New York City. FEMA issued a major disaster declaration, and New York State ultimately operated a home buyout program for the most severely affected repetitive-loss areas. This documented event is the reference point for understanding Staten Island's storm surge exposure in major coastal storms.
What to inspect and document after flooding
- Photograph the high-water mark on exterior foundation walls, door frames, and fence posts before it fades.
- Document flooring, wall finishes, insulation, and structural framing for saturation throughout all affected areas.
- Inspect electrical, HVAC, and mechanical systems that were submerged or exposed to flood water.
- Check for sewage backup — combined storm and sanitary sewer systems can overflow during major surge events.
- Assess foundation damage — surge-driven water can undermine pier and slab foundations.
- Document evidence of wave action or debris impact separately from flood inundation.
Your rights under New York insurance law
Under New York Insurance Regulation 64 (11 NYCRR Part 216), your insurer must acknowledge your claim within 15 business days of receiving notice and must accept or deny the claim within 15 business days of receiving a complete proof of loss. If your claim is denied or the settlement appears inadequate, you may file a complaint with the New York Department of Financial Services at dfs.ny.gov.
If you hire a public adjuster, New York Insurance Law § 2108 caps the fee at 12.5% of the settlement for ordinary losses. For losses associated with a state-declared disaster emergency, the cap is 10%. A written contract is required before work begins.
How Unified Public Advocacy can help
Unified Public Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public adjusting firm that represents property and business owners — not insurance companies. When a flood damage claim is disputed, underpaid, or built from a single insurer inspection, Unified Public Advocacy independently documents the loss, reads the policy, and re-presents the claim with the evidence to support it.
Unified Public Advocacy never takes a penny out of a property or business owner's pocket — the fee is covered by the overhead and profit built into the insurance settlement itself. If your Staten Island property sustained flood damage, you can reach Unified Public Advocacy at 1-855-944-3473.
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Claim Denied or Underpaid? UPA Can Help
UPA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public adjusting firm. If a loss like this one left you with a denied claim or a settlement that didn't cover the damage, we document the loss and fight for the full amount your policy owes — at no cost out of pocket.