Storms, floods and disasters in Montclair State University
Montclair State University isn’t graded for hazard risk: Montclair State University is a Census area inside a town, graded with the town. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
What Montclair State University 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
Tornadoes
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.
Does Montclair State University flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montclair State University, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $20K
Montclair State University isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Passaic County.The storms Montclair State University remembers
None of the 21 disasters declared for Passaic County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Montclair State University itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20211 flood claims paidThe year of Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared for Passaic County
Passaic County has had 21 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 Montclair State University after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montclair State University archive →Montclair State University and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montclair Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 223 |
| Clifton | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| Little Falls Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,657 |
| Great Notch | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Upper Montclair | — | 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 Montclair State University 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Montclair State University
Does Montclair State University flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Montclair State University since 2021, $20K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (1).
Is Montclair State University 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 Passaic County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Montclair State University?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montclair State University’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 Montclair State University?
By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 1 paid, $20K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montclair State University.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montclair State University’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.