Reformed Dutch Church of Second River · Photo: Jim.henderson · CC0FEMA puts Belleville Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belleville Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #401 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 217 claims here since 1978.
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 Belleville Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Belleville Township 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
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 Belleville Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belleville Township, and Belleville Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #401 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Belleville Township’s residents live in 8 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, Belleville Township has more expected damage per building than 86% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.8M a year in losses across Belleville Township: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belleville Township flood? Yes: 217 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belleville Township, from FEMA’s records: 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida58 claims · $5.1M
- Hurricane Irene53 claims · $2.8M
- Hurricane Sandy28 claims · $2.9M
Belleville Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belleville Township
Disasters that paid out in Belleville Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Belleville Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1,112 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved$695K to Belleville Township for repairs58 flood claims paid for it, $5.1M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$95K to Belleville Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to Belleville Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$75K to Belleville Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,031 households applied for aid$226K aid approved$977K to Belleville Township for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $2.9M
- 2011Severe Storm$120K to Belleville Township for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene361 households applied for aid$729K aid approved$177K to Belleville Township for repairs53 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$63K to Belleville Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$16K to Belleville Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding104 households applied for aid$110K aid approved$59K to Belleville Township for repairs18 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$66K to Belleville Township for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $375K
Essex County has had 24 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 Belleville Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belleville Township archive →Belleville Township and its neighbors
Belleville Township is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 222 |
| North Arlington | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Bloomfield Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 520 |
| Kearny | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
| Nutley Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 251 |
| Belleville Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| Lyndhurst Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 452 |
| Silver Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Belleville Township 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.
- 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 Belleville Township
Is Belleville Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belleville Township has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #401 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Belleville Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 217 claims in Belleville Township since 1978, $12.5M in all, or 14.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 40 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (58).
Is Belleville Township 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 Essex County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Belleville Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Belleville Township’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 Belleville Township?
By FEMA money that reached Belleville Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,112 households applied for aid, $3.8M approved, and $695K to Belleville Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 58 paid, $5.1M.
Is Belleville Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Belleville Township’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belleville Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belleville Township’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.