Photo: KForce at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Bogota than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bogota gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #278 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 25 claims here since 1980.
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 Bogota 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
Hurricanes
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 Bogota’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bogota, and Bogota’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #278 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bogota’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, Bogota has more expected damage per building than 59% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Bogota: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bogota flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bogota, from FEMA’s records: 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $29K
- The December Storm - nor’easter3 claims · $124K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $151K
Bogota 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bogota
Disasters that paid out in Bogota itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Bogota), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida122 households applied for aid$542K aid approved$52K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $103K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$28K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy125 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$216K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$125K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene54 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$26K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$29K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding35 households applied for aid$52K aid approved$13K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$6K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $151K
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 Bogota after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bogota archive →Bogota and its neighbors
Bogota is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaneck Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Ridgefield Park | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 202 |
| Hackensack | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 416 |
| Bogota | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
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 Bogota 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Bogota
Is Bogota at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bogota has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #278 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bogota flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in Bogota since 1980, $593K in all, or 7.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Bogota 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 Bogota?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bogota’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 Bogota?
By FEMA money that reached Bogota, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 122 households applied for aid, $542K approved, and $52K to the Borough of Bogota for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $29K.
Is Bogota at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Bogota’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bogota.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bogota’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.