Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Boonton faces more hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boonton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #443 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1979.
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 Boonton 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 Boonton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Boonton, and Boonton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #443 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Boonton’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, Boonton has more expected damage per building than 95% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across Boonton: $4.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Boonton flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Boonton, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $7K
Boonton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morris County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Boonton
Disasters that paid out in Boonton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Boonton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida42 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$67K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$59K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy117 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$192K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Severe Storm$34K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene54 households applied for aid$100K aid approved$75K to the Town of Boonton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$14K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$21K to the Town of Boonton for repairs
Morris County has had 25 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 Boonton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Boonton archive →Boonton and its neighbors
Boonton is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Lakes | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 542 |
| Boonton Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Montville Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Boonton | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Boonton 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 Boonton
Is Boonton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Boonton has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #443 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Boonton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Boonton since 1979, $26K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Boonton 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 Morris County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Boonton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Boonton’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 Boonton?
By FEMA money that reached Boonton, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 117 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $192K to the Town of Boonton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Boonton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Boonton’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Boonton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Boonton’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.