FEMA puts Lodi’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lodi gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #310 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 901 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 Lodi’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lodi 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
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
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 Lodi’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lodi, and Lodi’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C #310 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lodi’s residents live in 6 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, Lodi has more expected damage per building than 66% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across Lodi: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lodi flood? Yes: 901 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lodi, from FEMA’s records: 89.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene145 claims · $7.1M
- The April 2007 nor’easter144 claims · $6.4M
- Hurricane Floyd116 claims · $3.9M
Lodi isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bergen County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lodi
Disasters that paid out in Lodi itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Lodi), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida703 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$222K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs90 flood claims paid for it, $6.2M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$60K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy411 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$148K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$63K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene440 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$320K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs145 flood claims paid for it, $7.1M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$24K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding464 households applied for aid$845K aid approved$410K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs147 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$508K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs116 flood claims paid for it, $3.9M
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 Lodi after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lodi archive →Lodi and its neighbors
Lodi is 5th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hasbrouck Heights | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Garfield | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 307 |
| Hackensack | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 416 |
| Saddle Brook Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 404 |
| Lodi | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 901 |
| Rochelle Park Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 838 |
| South Hackensack Township | Dmore damage than 86% | coastal flooding | 45 |
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 Lodi 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Lodi
Is Lodi at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lodi has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #310 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lodi flood?
Flood insurance has paid 901 claims in Lodi since 1978, $28.5M in all, or 89.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 145 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (145).
Is Lodi 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 Lodi?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lodi’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 Lodi?
By FEMA money that reached Lodi, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 703 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved, and $222K to the Borough of Lodi for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 145 paid, $7.1M.
Is Lodi at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Lodi’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lodi.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lodi’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.