Photo: EvanSheppard · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Allendale than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allendale gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #100 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1984.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Allendale’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Allendale faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Earthquakes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Allendale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Allendale, and Allendale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #100 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Allendale’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Allendale has less expected damage per building than 79% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Allendale: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Allendale flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Allendale, from FEMA’s records: 15.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd15 claims · $380K
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $76K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $24K
Allendale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bergen County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Allendale
Disasters that paid out in Allendale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Allendale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida39 households applied for aid$68K aid approved$112K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $57K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$137K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$80K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy51 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$195K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$53K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene39 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$36K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $76K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding19 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$17K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$61K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $380K
Bergen County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Allendale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Allendale archive →Allendale and its neighbors
Allendale is 3rd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsey | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Wyckoff Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Allendale | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Mahwah Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 186 |
| Saddle River | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| Waldwick | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Allendale faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Allendale
Is Allendale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Allendale has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #100 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Allendale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Allendale since 1984, $671K in all, or 15.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (15).
Is Allendale in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Bergen County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Allendale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Allendale’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Allendale?
By FEMA money that reached Allendale, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 51 households applied for aid, $20K approved, and $195K to the Borough of Allendale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 15 paid, $380K.
Is Allendale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Allendale’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Allendale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Allendale’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.