Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Netcong’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Netcong gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #11 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 Netcong 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 Netcong’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Netcong, and Netcong’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
A #11 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Netcong’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Netcong has less expected damage per building than 98% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $589K a year in losses across Netcong: $379K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Netcong flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Netcong, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Netcong 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Netcong
Disasters that paid out in Netcong itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Netcong), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy121 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$61K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene27 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$11K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$7K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$7K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4K to the Borough of Netcong 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 Netcong after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Netcong archive →Netcong and its neighbors
Netcong 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netcong | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Stanhope | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Roxbury Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Mount Olive Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Port Morris | — | 858 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Netcong 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 Netcong
Is Netcong at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Netcong has lower expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #11 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (7%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Netcong flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Netcong since 1980, $1.0M in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Netcong 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 Netcong?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Netcong’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 Netcong?
By FEMA money that reached Netcong, Hurricane Irene (2011): 27 households applied for aid, $77K approved, and $11K to the Borough of Netcong for repairs.
Is Netcong at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Netcong’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Netcong.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Netcong’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.