Photo: Jim.henderson · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Cedar Grove Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Grove Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #165 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 23 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 Cedar Grove 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 Cedar Grove Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cedar Grove Township, and Cedar Grove Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
B #165 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cedar Grove Township’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, Cedar Grove Township has less expected damage per building than 65% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Cedar Grove Township: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cedar Grove Township flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cedar Grove Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida10 claims · $700K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $51K
Cedar Grove 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cedar Grove Township
Disasters that paid out in Cedar Grove Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cedar Grove Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida107 households applied for aid$273K aid approved$376K to Cedar Grove Township for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $700K
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to Cedar Grove Township for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy84 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$308K to Cedar Grove Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$159K to Cedar Grove Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene25 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$37K to Cedar Grove Township for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $51K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to Cedar Grove Township for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to Cedar Grove Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$86K to Cedar Grove Township 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 Cedar Grove Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cedar Grove Township archive →Cedar Grove Township and its neighbors
Cedar Grove Township 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montclair Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 223 |
| North Caldwell | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| Cedar Grove Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Verona Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Little Falls Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,657 |
| Upper Montclair | — | 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 Cedar Grove 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 Cedar Grove Township
Is Cedar Grove Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cedar Grove Township has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #165 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cedar Grove Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Cedar Grove Township since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (10).
Is Cedar Grove 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 Cedar Grove Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cedar Grove 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 Cedar Grove Township?
By FEMA money that reached Cedar Grove Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 107 households applied for aid, $273K approved, and $376K to Cedar Grove Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 10 paid, $700K.
Is Cedar Grove Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Cedar Grove Township’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cedar Grove Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cedar Grove 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.