Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Butler faces more hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #367 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 Butler 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 Butler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Butler, and Butler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #367 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Butler’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, Butler has more expected damage per building than 78% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Butler: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Butler flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Butler, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $124K
- The March 2010 nor’easter6 claims · $82K
- The Late winter storms2 claims · $7K
Butler 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Butler
Disasters that paid out in Butler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Butler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida42 households applied for aid$39K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$64K to the Borough of Butler for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$288K to the Borough of Butler for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$105K to the Borough of Butler for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to the Borough of Butler for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy44 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$636K to the Borough of Butler for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2011Severe Storm$154K to the Borough of Butler for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene27 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$102K to the Borough of Butler for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $124K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$868 aid approved$31K to the Borough of Butler for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$92K to the Borough of Butler for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
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 Butler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Butler archive →Butler and its neighbors
Butler is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinnelon | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Milford Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Butler | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Riverdale | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Bloomingdale | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Macopin | — | 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 Butler 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 Butler
Is Butler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Butler has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #367 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Butler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Butler since 1984, $354K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (9).
Is Butler 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 Butler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Butler’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 Butler?
By FEMA money that reached Butler, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 44 households applied for aid, $9K approved, and $636K to the Borough of Butler for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 9 paid, $124K.
Is Butler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Butler’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Butler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Butler’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.