Photo: Wtz · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Guttenberg as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guttenberg gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #249 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2012.
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 Guttenberg 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 Guttenberg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Guttenberg, and Guttenberg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #249 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Guttenberg’s residents live in 4 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, Guttenberg has more expected damage per building than 53% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Guttenberg: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Guttenberg flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Guttenberg, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $35K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $34K
Guttenberg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hudson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Guttenberg
Disasters that paid out in Guttenberg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Guttenberg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida78 households applied for aid$204K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $34K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$39K to the Town of Guttenberg for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy61 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$44K to the Town of Guttenberg for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $35K
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$11K to the Town of Guttenberg for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Town of Guttenberg for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$20K to the Town of Guttenberg for repairs
Hudson County has had 15 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 Guttenberg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Guttenberg archive →Guttenberg and its neighbors
Guttenberg is 2nd of the 3 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 |
| Guttenberg | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West New York | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 Guttenberg 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 Guttenberg
Is Guttenberg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Guttenberg has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #249 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Guttenberg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Guttenberg since 2012, $69K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Guttenberg 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 Hudson County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Guttenberg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Guttenberg’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 Guttenberg?
By FEMA money that reached Guttenberg, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 78 households applied for aid, $204K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $35K.
Is Guttenberg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Guttenberg’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Guttenberg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Guttenberg’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.