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BHazard risk
Natural hazards in Mahwah Township · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Mahwah Township faces less hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mahwah Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #131 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 186 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 87%Earthquakes 6%Hurricanes 4%

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

less than 64%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#131 of 468 in New Jersey
Hazard risk
B#131 of 468
in New Jersey · lower than 64% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
87% of expected building damage
Flood claims
186
paid since 1979 · $4.1M
Flooded more than once
23
properties · 9 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
11
of 23 declared for Bergen County

What stands out about Mahwah Township’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 64% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.186 paid flood claims since 1979$4.1M in all; 23 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 83% of U.S. towns.Remembers 201182 flood claims were paid for 2011 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Mahwah Township 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

87%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area

Earthquakes

6%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Hurricanes Tornadoes Strong wind Winter storms Hail Wildfire Ice storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Mahwah Township’s grade

River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mahwah Township, and Mahwah Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Mahwah Township sits
Mahwah Township
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B #131 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Mahwah Township’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding87%Earthquakes6%Hurricanes4%Everything else3%

The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Mahwah Township has less expected damage per building than 72% of New Jersey towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Mahwah Township: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. Mahwah Township covers 5 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Mahwah Township flood? Yes: 186 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mahwah Township, from FEMA’s records: 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 2 claims1980: 6 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 1 claim1984: 14 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 1 claim1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 32 claims2000: 1 claim2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 1 claim2005: 14 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 9 claims2008: 1 claim2009: 0 claims2010: 11 claims2011: 82 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 10 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 1 claim2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims198419992011
19792026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Irene58 claims · $2.3M
  • Hurricane Floyd32 claims · $594K
  • The Torrential rain13 claims · $238K
186
paid claims since 1979
$4.1M
paid to owners
23
homes flooded more than once
$22K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (9)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Mahwah Township 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.
Disasters

11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mahwah Township

Disasters that paid out in Mahwah Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mahwah Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida106 households applied for aid$140K aid approved$270K to Mahwah Township for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $340K
  2. 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$174K to Mahwah Township for repairs
  3. 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$180K to Mahwah Township for repairs
  4. 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$76K to Mahwah Township for repairs
  5. 2012Hurricane Sandy136 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$362K to Mahwah Township for repairs
  6. 2011Severe Storm$113K to Mahwah Township for repairs
Show all 11
  1. 2011Hurricane Irene138 households applied for aid$776K aid approved$129K to Mahwah Township for repairs58 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
  2. 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$72K to Mahwah Township for repairs
  3. 2010Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$28K to Mahwah Township for repairs
  4. 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding20 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$67K to Mahwah Township for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
  5. 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$109K to Mahwah Township for repairs32 flood claims paid for it, $594K
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Mahwah TownshipBergen County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Mahwah Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Mahwah Township archive →
Next door

Mahwah Township and its neighbors

Mahwah Township is 5th of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Ramsey: hazard risk A−Allendale: hazard risk B+Franklin Lakes: hazard risk B+Wyckoff Township: hazard risk B+Upper Saddle River: hazard risk B−Oakland: hazard risk CRamseyAllendaleFranklin LakesWyckoff TownshipUpper Saddle RiverOaklandMahwah Township
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
RamseyA−less damage than 81%river and rain flooding14
Wyckoff TownshipB+less damage than 74%river and rain flooding27
Franklin LakesB+less damage than 73%river and rain flooding18
AllendaleB+less damage than 69%river and rain flooding42
Mahwah TownshipBless damage than 64%river and rain flooding186
Upper Saddle RiverB−less damage than 54%river and rain flooding35
OaklandCmore damage than 74%river and rain flooding556

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Mahwah Township faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Mahwah Township

Is Mahwah Township at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mahwah Township has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #131 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 Mahwah Township flood?

Flood insurance has paid 186 claims in Mahwah Township since 1979, $4.1M in all, or 18.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (58).

Is Mahwah Township 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 Mahwah Township?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mahwah Township’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 Mahwah Township?

By FEMA money that reached Mahwah Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 138 households applied for aid, $776K approved, and $129K to Mahwah Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 58 paid, $2.3M.

Is Mahwah Township at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Mahwah Township’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mahwah Township.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mahwah Township’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.