Photo: King of Hearts · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Hoboken faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hoboken gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #462 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 1,621 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 stands out about Hoboken’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hoboken 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 Hoboken’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hoboken, and Hoboken’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #462 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hoboken’s residents live in 16 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, Hoboken has more expected damage per building than 99% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $36.2M a year in losses across Hoboken: $32.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hoboken flood? Yes: 1,621 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hoboken, from FEMA’s records: 53.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1,042 claims · $46.3M
- Hurricane Ida201 claims · $4.9M
- Hurricane Irene149 claims · $2.7M
Hoboken 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 Hoboken
Disasters that paid out in Hoboken itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hoboken), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida461 households applied for aid$780K aid approved$332K to the City of Hoboken for repairs201 flood claims paid for it, $4.9M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$122K to the City of Hoboken for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy5,261 households applied for aid$6.2M aid approved$4.6M to the City of Hoboken for repairs1,042 flood claims paid for it, $46.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene149 households applied for aid$252K aid approved$283K to the City of Hoboken for repairs149 flood claims paid for it, $2.7M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$66K to the City of Hoboken for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding31 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$55K to the City of Hoboken for repairs64 flood claims paid that year
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 Hoboken after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hoboken archive →Hoboken and its neighbors
Hoboken is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union City | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Weehawken Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| Jersey City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1,361 |
| Hoboken | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1,621 |
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 Hoboken 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 Hoboken
Is Hoboken at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hoboken has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #462 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 Hoboken flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,621 claims in Hoboken since 1979, $56.3M in all, or 53.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 284 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1,042).
Is Hoboken 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 Hoboken?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hoboken’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 Hoboken?
By FEMA money that reached Hoboken, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 5,261 households applied for aid, $6.2M approved, and $4.6M to the City of Hoboken for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1,042 paid, $46.3M.
Is Hoboken at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Hoboken’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hoboken.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hoboken’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.