Photo: Hudconja · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Kearny than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kearny gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #383 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then coastal flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 249 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 stands out about Kearny’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kearny 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
Coastal 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 Kearny’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kearny, and Kearny’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #383 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kearny’s residents live in 11 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, Kearny has more expected damage per building than 82% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.0M a year in losses across Kearny: $11.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kearny flood? Yes: 249 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kearny, from FEMA’s records: 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy68 claims · $19.7M
- Hurricane Ida18 claims · $1.6M
Kearny 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 Kearny
Disasters that paid out in Kearny itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kearny), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida406 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$274K to the Town of Kearny for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$71K to the Town of Kearny for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy925 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$886K to the Town of Kearny for repairs68 flood claims paid for it, $19.7M
- 2011Hurricane Irene133 households applied for aid$323K aid approved$144K to the Town of Kearny for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $693K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$67K to the Town of Kearny for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding19 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$42K to the Town of Kearny for repairs3 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 Kearny after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kearny archive →Kearny and its neighbors
Kearny is 5th of the 9 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 |
| Jersey City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1,361 |
| North Arlington | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Secaucus | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Kearny | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
| Belleville Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| Lyndhurst Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 452 |
| 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 Kearny 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Kearny
Is Kearny at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kearny has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #383 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and coastal flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kearny flood?
Flood insurance has paid 249 claims in Kearny since 1978, $31.0M in all, or 16.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (68).
Is Kearny 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 Kearny?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kearny’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 Kearny?
By FEMA money that reached Kearny, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 925 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $886K to the Town of Kearny for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 68 paid, $19.7M.
Is Kearny at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Kearny’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kearny.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kearny’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.