Photo: Aumecg · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Hackettstown 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, Hackettstown gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #246 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 22 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 Hackettstown 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 Hackettstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hackettstown, and Hackettstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #246 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hackettstown’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, Hackettstown has more expected damage per building than 52% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Hackettstown: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hackettstown flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hackettstown, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $84K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $1K
Hackettstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Warren County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hackettstown
Disasters that paid out in Hackettstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hackettstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida47 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$72K to the Town of Hackettstown for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Town of Hackettstown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy145 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$95K to the Town of Hackettstown for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$47K to the Town of Hackettstown for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$2K to the Town of Hackettstown for repairs
Show all 9
- 2011Hurricane Irene178 households applied for aid$366K aid approved$12K to the Town of Hackettstown for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $84K
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$16K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Warren County has had 19 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 Hackettstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hackettstown archive →Hackettstown and its neighbors
Hackettstown is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Independence Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Mount Olive Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Allamuchy Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mansfield Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Hackettstown | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Beattystown | — | 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 Hackettstown 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 Hackettstown
Is Hackettstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hackettstown has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #246 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hackettstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Hackettstown since 1979, $186K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is Hackettstown 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 Warren County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hackettstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hackettstown’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 Hackettstown?
By FEMA money that reached Hackettstown, Hurricane Irene (2011): 178 households applied for aid, $366K approved, and $12K to the Town of Hackettstown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $84K.
Is Hackettstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Hackettstown’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hackettstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hackettstown’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.