Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Harrison than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrison gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #440 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 35 claims here since 1992.
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 Harrison 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 Harrison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harrison, and Harrison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #440 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harrison’s residents live in 5 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, Harrison has more expected damage per building than 94% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Harrison: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harrison flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harrison, from FEMA’s records: 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy25 claims · $5.3M
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $31K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $181K
Harrison 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harrison
Disasters that paid out in Harrison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Harrison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida58 households applied for aid$84K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $181K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy505 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved25 flood claims paid for it, $5.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene38 households applied for aid$97K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $31K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
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 Harrison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harrison archive →Harrison and its neighbors
Harrison 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 222 |
| Kearny | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
| Harrison | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| East Newark | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Harrison 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 Harrison
Is Harrison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harrison has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #440 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harrison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Harrison since 1992, $5.5M in all, or 3.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (25).
Is Harrison 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 Harrison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harrison’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 Harrison?
By FEMA money that reached Harrison, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 505 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 25 paid, $5.3M.
Is Harrison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Harrison’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harrison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harrison’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.