Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Dover’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #413 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 530 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Dover’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dover 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 Dover’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dover, and Dover’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #413 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dover’s residents live in 3 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, Dover has more expected damage per building than 88% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Dover: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dover flood? Yes: 530 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dover, from FEMA’s records: 77.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene74 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Floyd65 claims · $822K
Dover 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dover
Disasters that paid out in Dover itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Dover), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida64 households applied for aid$68K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $228K
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$62K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$58K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$57K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy212 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$149K to the Town of Dover for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$30K to the Town of Dover for repairs
Show all 12
- 2011Hurricane Irene159 households applied for aid$276K aid approved$49K to the Town of Dover for repairs74 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$29K to the Town of Dover for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved26 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$6K to the Town of Dover for repairs52 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$65K to the Town of Dover for repairs65 flood claims paid for it, $822K
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 Dover after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dover archive →Dover and its neighbors
Dover 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mine Hill Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Randolph Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Wharton | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Rockaway Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Dover | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 530 |
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 Dover 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 Dover
Is Dover at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dover has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #413 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dover flood?
Flood insurance has paid 530 claims in Dover since 1978, $7.6M in all, or 77.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 52 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (74).
Is Dover 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 Dover?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dover’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 Dover?
By FEMA money that reached Dover, Hurricane Irene (2011): 159 households applied for aid, $276K approved, and $49K to the Town of Dover for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 74 paid, $2.0M.
Is Dover at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Dover’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dover.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dover’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.