Photo: Forrest R. Whitesides / Culturejam23 at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hopatcong than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopatcong gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #66 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then strong wind (27%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1978.
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 Hopatcong 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
Strong wind
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 Hopatcong’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hopatcong, and Hopatcong’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #66 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hopatcong’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, Hopatcong has less expected damage per building than 86% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Hopatcong: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hopatcong flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hopatcong, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $32K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Hopatcong isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sussex County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hopatcong
Disasters that paid out in Hopatcong itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hopatcong), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$137K to the Borough of Hopatcong for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$44K to the Borough of Hopatcong for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy704 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$229K to the Borough of Hopatcong for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$20K to the Borough of Hopatcong for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene150 households applied for aid$308K aid approved$33K to the Borough of Hopatcong for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $32K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$1K to the Borough of Hopatcong for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$3K to the Borough of Hopatcong for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Sussex County has had 20 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 Hopatcong after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hopatcong archive →Hopatcong and its neighbors
Hopatcong is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Arlington | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Stanhope | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hopatcong | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Roxbury Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Jefferson Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Byram Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Landing | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Lake Hopatcong | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Byram Center | — | 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 Hopatcong 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Hopatcong
Is Hopatcong at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopatcong has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #66 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and strong wind (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hopatcong flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Hopatcong since 1978, $79K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Hopatcong 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 Sussex County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hopatcong?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hopatcong’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 Hopatcong?
By FEMA money that reached Hopatcong, Hurricane Irene (2011): 150 households applied for aid, $308K approved, and $33K to the Borough of Hopatcong for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $32K.
Is Hopatcong at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Hopatcong’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hopatcong.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hopatcong’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.