Photo: Jim.henderson · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Fairview faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #227 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Fairview 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
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 Fairview’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fairview, and Fairview’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #227 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fairview’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, Fairview has less expected damage per building than 52% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Fairview: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fairview flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fairview, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $694K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $543K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $16K
Fairview isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bergen County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fairview
Disasters that paid out in Fairview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Fairview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida278 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$75K to the Borough of Fairview for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $694K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy175 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$39K to the Borough of Fairview for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $543K
- 2011Severe Storm$1K to the Borough of Fairview for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene19 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$9K to the Borough of Fairview for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Borough of Fairview for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$13K to the Borough of Fairview for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$1K to the Borough of Fairview for repairs
Bergen County has had 23 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 Fairview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fairview archive →Fairview and its neighbors
Fairview is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Bergen Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 109 |
| Cliffside Park | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Fairview | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Ridgefield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 106 |
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 Fairview 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.
- 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 Fairview
Is Fairview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fairview has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #227 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fairview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Fairview since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (7).
Is Fairview 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 Bergen County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fairview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fairview’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 Fairview?
By FEMA money that reached Fairview, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 278 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $75K to the Borough of Fairview for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 7 paid, $694K.
Is Fairview at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Fairview’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fairview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fairview’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.