Photo: Lithium6ion · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Maywood than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maywood gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #73 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 43 claims here since 1996.
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 Maywood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Maywood 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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Maywood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maywood, and Maywood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #73 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maywood’s residents live in 3 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, Maywood has less expected damage per building than 85% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Maywood: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maywood flood? Sometimes: 43 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maywood, from FEMA’s records: 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida12 claims · $502K
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $75K
- The April 2007 nor’easter7 claims · $54K
Maywood 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 Maywood
Disasters that paid out in Maywood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Maywood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida198 households applied for aid$607K aid approved$255K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $502K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$33K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy92 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$229K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2011Severe Storm$32K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene95 households applied for aid$153K aid approved$25K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $75K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$38K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding143 households applied for aid$248K aid approved$32K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$77K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $22K
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 Maywood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maywood archive →Maywood and its neighbors
Maywood has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maywood | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Paramus | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
| Hackensack | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 416 |
| Rochelle Park Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 838 |
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 Maywood 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Maywood
Is Maywood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maywood has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #73 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Maywood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 43 claims in Maywood since 1996, $737K in all, or 10.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (12).
Is Maywood 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 Maywood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maywood’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 Maywood?
By FEMA money that reached Maywood, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 198 households applied for aid, $607K approved, and $255K to the Borough of Maywood for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 12 paid, $502K.
Is Maywood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Maywood’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maywood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maywood’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.