Methodist Episcopal Church · Photo: Josconklin · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Madison than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #53 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Madison 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 Madison’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Madison, and Madison’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #53 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Madison’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, Madison has less expected damage per building than 89% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Madison: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Madison flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Madison, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Madison isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morris County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Madison
Disasters that paid out in Madison itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Madison), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida44 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$46K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$14K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$252K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$401K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$52K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy54 households applied for aid$1.1M to the Borough of Madison for repairs
Show all 12
- 2011Severe Storm$260K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene41 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$97K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$537 aid approved$19K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$17K to the Borough of Madison for repairs
Morris County has had 25 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 Madison after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Madison archive →Madison and its neighbors
Madison has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Florham Park | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Chatham Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Green Village | — | 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 Madison 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 Madison
Is Madison at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Madison has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #53 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Madison flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Madison since 1978, $20K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Madison 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 Morris County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Madison?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Madison’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 Madison?
By FEMA money that reached Madison, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 54 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $1.1M to the Borough of Madison for repairs.
Is Madison at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Madison’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Madison.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Madison’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.