Photo: Jared Kofsky/PlaceNJ.com · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Caldwell than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caldwell gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #53 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2007.
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 Caldwell 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
Hurricanes
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 Caldwell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Caldwell, and Caldwell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #53 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Caldwell’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, Caldwell has less expected damage per building than 89% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Caldwell: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Caldwell flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Caldwell, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $97K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Caldwell 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 Caldwell
Disasters that paid out in Caldwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Caldwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida192 households applied for aid$509K aid approved$2.0M to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $97K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$119K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$64K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy110 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$165K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$152K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene43 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$46K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$37K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$22K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$25K to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs
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 Caldwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Caldwell archive →Caldwell and its neighbors
Caldwell has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Essex Fells | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| North Caldwell | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| West Caldwell Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
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 Caldwell 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.
- 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.
- 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 Caldwell
Is Caldwell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Caldwell has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #53 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Caldwell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Caldwell since 2007, $102K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (1).
Is Caldwell 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 Caldwell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Caldwell’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 Caldwell?
By FEMA money that reached Caldwell, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 192 households applied for aid, $509K approved, and $2.0M to the Borough of Caldwell for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 1 paid, $97K.
Is Caldwell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Caldwell’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Caldwell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Caldwell’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.