Photo: Jag9889 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Little Ferry than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Ferry gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #465 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (55%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 1,192 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 Little Ferry’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Little Ferry faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Little Ferry’s grade
Coastal flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Little Ferry, and Little Ferry’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. River and rain flooding adds 40%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #465 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Little Ferry’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, Little Ferry has more expected damage per building than 99% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Little Ferry: $7.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Little Ferry flood? Yes: 1,192 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Little Ferry, from FEMA’s records: 253.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy673 claims · $22.6M
- Hurricane Irene215 claims · $4.1M
- The December Storm - nor’easter90 claims · $923K
Little Ferry is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bergen County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Little Ferry
Disasters that paid out in Little Ferry itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Little Ferry), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida172 households applied for aid$249K aid approved$89K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs64 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$128K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2,341 households applied for aid$9.4M aid approved$1.1M to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs673 flood claims paid for it, $22.6M
- 2011Severe Storm$4K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene311 households applied for aid$719K aid approved$58K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs215 flood claims paid for it, $4.1M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$13K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding28 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$16K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs34 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $125K
Bergen County has had 23 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 Little Ferry after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Little Ferry archive →Little Ferry and its neighbors
Little Ferry is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgefield Park | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 202 |
| Ridgefield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 106 |
| South Hackensack Township | Dmore damage than 86% | coastal flooding | 45 |
| Little Ferry | D−more damage than 97% | coastal flooding | 1,192 |
| Moonachie | D−among the highest damage | coastal flooding | 234 |
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 Little Ferry faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- Little Ferry residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Little Ferry
Is Little Ferry at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Little Ferry has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #465 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (55%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Little Ferry flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,192 claims in Little Ferry since 1979, $29.8M in all, or 253.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 239 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (673).
Is Little Ferry 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 Bergen County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Little Ferry?
Little Ferry is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Little Ferry?
By FEMA money that reached Little Ferry, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 2,341 households applied for aid, $9.4M approved, and $1.1M to the Borough of Little Ferry for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 673 paid, $22.6M.
Is Little Ferry at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Little Ferry’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Little Ferry.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Little Ferry’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.