Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in East Hanover Township than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Hanover Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #363 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 89 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 East Hanover 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
Earthquakes
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 East Hanover Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Hanover Township, and East Hanover Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #363 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Hanover 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, East Hanover Township has more expected damage per building than 78% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across East Hanover Township: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Hanover Township flood? Sometimes: 89 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Hanover Township, from FEMA’s records: 22.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene49 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Floyd7 claims · $71K
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $271K
East Hanover 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: Morris County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Hanover Township
Disasters that paid out in East Hanover Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to East Hanover Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida60 households applied for aid$128K aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $271K
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$121K to East Hanover Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$196K to East Hanover Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$413K to East Hanover Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to East Hanover Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy169 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$504K to East Hanover Township for repairs
Show all 12
- 2011Severe Storm$31K to East Hanover Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene124 households applied for aid$385K aid approved$98K to East Hanover Township for repairs49 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$45K to East Hanover Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$30K to East Hanover Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding7 households applied for aid$6K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
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 East Hanover Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Hanover Township archive →East Hanover Township and its neighbors
East Hanover Township is 8th of the 9 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 |
| Livingston Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 189 |
| West Caldwell Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Hanover Township | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Roseland | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Fairfield Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1,821 |
| Parsippany-Troy Hills Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 542 |
| East Hanover Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Montville Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Pine Brook | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Whippany | — | 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 East Hanover 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 East Hanover Township
Is East Hanover Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Hanover Township has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #363 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Hanover Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 89 claims in East Hanover Township since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 22.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (49).
Is East Hanover 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 Morris County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in East Hanover Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Hanover 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 East Hanover Township?
By FEMA money that reached East Hanover Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 169 households applied for aid, $6K approved, and $504K to East Hanover Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 49 paid, $1.4M.
Is East Hanover Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and East Hanover Township’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Hanover Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Hanover 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.