Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in New Milford than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Milford gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #276 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 753 claims here since 1979.
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 New Milford’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Milford 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
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 New Milford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Milford, and New Milford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #276 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Milford’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, New Milford has more expected damage per building than 59% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across New Milford: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Milford flood? Yes: 753 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Milford, from FEMA’s records: 118.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene164 claims · $7.9M
- The April 2007 nor’easter151 claims · $10.1M
- Hurricane Ida89 claims · $6.3M
New Milford 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Milford
Disasters that paid out in New Milford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of New Milford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida285 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$195K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs89 flood claims paid for it, $6.3M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$107K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy152 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$215K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$124K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene258 households applied for aid$748K aid approved$110K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs164 flood claims paid for it, $7.9M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding21 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$116K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding411 households applied for aid$907K aid approved$243K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs153 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$106K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs86 flood claims paid for it, $2.7M
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 New Milford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Milford archive →New Milford and its neighbors
New Milford is 5th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dumont | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 91 |
| Teaneck Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Oradell | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Bergenfield | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
| New Milford | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 753 |
| River Edge | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
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 New Milford 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.
- 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 New Milford
Is New Milford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Milford has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #276 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Milford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 753 claims in New Milford since 1979, $30.7M in all, or 118.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 144 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (164).
Is New Milford 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 New Milford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Milford’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 New Milford?
By FEMA money that reached New Milford, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 285 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $195K to the Borough of New Milford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 164 paid, $7.9M.
Is New Milford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and New Milford’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Milford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Milford’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.