Murray Hill Station · Photo: Adam Moss · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in New Providence than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Providence gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #396 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 65 claims here since 1978.
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 New Providence 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
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 Providence’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Providence, and New Providence’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #396 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Providence’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, New Providence has more expected damage per building than 85% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across New Providence: $6.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Providence flood? Sometimes: 65 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Providence, from FEMA’s records: 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene17 claims · $210K
- Hurricane Ida9 claims · $271K
- The 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding7 claims · $375K
New Providence isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Providence
Disasters that paid out in New Providence itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of New Providence), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida79 households applied for aid$210K aid approved$1.1M to the Borough of New Providence for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $271K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$69K to the Borough of New Providence for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy89 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$254K to the Borough of New Providence for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$267K to the Borough of New Providence for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene164 households applied for aid$306K aid approved$588K to the Borough of New Providence for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $210K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$54K to the Borough of New Providence for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding13 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$15K to the Borough of New Providence for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$163K to the Borough of New Providence for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $49K
Union 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 New Providence after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Providence archive →New Providence and its neighbors
New Providence is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summit | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Berkeley Heights Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 67 |
| New Providence | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 65 |
| Chatham Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Providence 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.
- 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 Providence
Is New Providence at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Providence has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #396 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Providence flood?
Flood insurance has paid 65 claims in New Providence since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (17).
Is New Providence 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 Union County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Providence?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Providence’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 Providence?
By FEMA money that reached New Providence, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 79 households applied for aid, $210K approved, and $1.1M to the Borough of New Providence for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 17 paid, $210K.
Is New Providence at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and New Providence’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Providence.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Providence’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.