Photo: Jesper Rautell Balle · CC BY 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Fanwood than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fanwood gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #419 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 Fanwood 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 Fanwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fanwood, and Fanwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #419 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fanwood’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, Fanwood has more expected damage per building than 90% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Fanwood: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fanwood flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fanwood, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding3 claims · $101K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $7K
- Hurricane Ida2 claims · $29K
Fanwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fanwood
Disasters that paid out in Fanwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Fanwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida106 households applied for aid$574K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Borough of Fanwood for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy137 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$294K to the Borough of Fanwood for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene127 households applied for aid$274K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Borough of Fanwood for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$55K to the Borough of Fanwood for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
Union County has had 21 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 Fanwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fanwood archive →Fanwood and its neighbors
Fanwood is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotch Plains Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Fanwood | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Fanwood 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 Fanwood
Is Fanwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fanwood has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #419 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 Fanwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Fanwood since 1979, $154K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding (3).
Is Fanwood 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 Union County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fanwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fanwood’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 Fanwood?
By FEMA money that reached Fanwood, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 106 households applied for aid, $574K approved. By flood claims, 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding: 3 paid, $101K.
Is Fanwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Fanwood’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fanwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fanwood’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.