Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts East Orange’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Orange gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #76 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 58 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 stands out about East Orange’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Orange 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 East Orange’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Orange, and East Orange’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #76 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Orange’s residents live in 19 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 Orange has less expected damage per building than 84% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.9M a year in losses across East Orange: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Orange flood? Sometimes: 58 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Orange, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida12 claims · $388K
- The April 2007 nor’easter5 claims · $33K
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $32K
East Orange 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Orange
Disasters that paid out in East Orange itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of East Orange), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1,954 households applied for aid$5.7M aid approved$252K to the City of East Orange for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $388K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$67K to the City of East Orange for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$104K to the City of East Orange for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the City of East Orange for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2,083 households applied for aid$393K aid approved$780K to the City of East Orange for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$73K to the City of East Orange for repairs
Show all 12
- 2011Hurricane Irene829 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$140K to the City of East Orange for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $32K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$84K to the City of East Orange for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$15K to the City of East Orange for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding128 households applied for aid$127K aid approved$45K to the City of East Orange for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$176 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$45K to the City of East Orange for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $127K
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 East Orange after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Orange archive →East Orange and its neighbors
East Orange has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Orange | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Newark | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 222 |
| South Orange Village Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| City of Orange Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 166 |
| Bloomfield Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 520 |
| Ampere North | — | 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 Orange 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 East Orange
Is East Orange at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Orange has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #76 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Orange flood?
Flood insurance has paid 58 claims in East Orange since 1979, $855K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (12).
Is East Orange 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 East Orange?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Orange’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 Orange?
By FEMA money that reached East Orange, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 1,954 households applied for aid, $5.7M approved, and $252K to the City of East Orange for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 12 paid, $388K.
Is East Orange at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and East Orange’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Orange.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Orange’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.