Dusenberry House · Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Chatham than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chatham gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #371 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1999.
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 Chatham 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 Chatham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chatham, and Chatham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #371 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chatham’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, Chatham has more expected damage per building than 79% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Chatham: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chatham flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chatham, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $17K
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $13K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Chatham 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.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chatham
Disasters that paid out in Chatham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Chatham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida75 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$12K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$76K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$133K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$162K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2015Severe Winter Storm and Flooding$6K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
Show all 15
- 2012Hurricane Sandy125 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$290K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$66K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene146 households applied for aid$331K aid approved$79K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$37K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$10K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$7K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $13K
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 Chatham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chatham archive →Chatham and its neighbors
Chatham 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florham Park | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Summit | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Millburn Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 303 |
| Chatham | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Chatham Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Chatham 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 Chatham
Is Chatham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chatham has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #371 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 Chatham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Chatham since 1999, $62K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (3).
Is Chatham 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 Chatham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chatham’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 Chatham?
By FEMA money that reached Chatham, Hurricane Irene (2011): 146 households applied for aid, $331K approved, and $79K to the Borough of Chatham for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 3 paid, $17K.
Is Chatham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Chatham’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chatham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chatham’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.