Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Newark faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newark gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #195 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 222 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 stands out about Newark’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Newark 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
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 Newark’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Newark, and Newark’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #195 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Newark’s residents live in 88 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, Newark has less expected damage per building than 58% of New Jersey towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Newark has lower expected damage per building than 60% (#159 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $66.2M, is the 185th largest of those 400.
Does Newark flood? Yes: 222 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Newark, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy44 claims · $12.4M
- Hurricane Ida36 claims · $7.6M
- Hurricane Irene18 claims · $2.3M
Newark isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Essex County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Newark
Disasters that paid out in Newark itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Newark), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida5,865 households applied for aid$16.3M aid approved$3.8M to the City of Newark for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $7.6M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$736K to the City of Newark for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$156K to the City of Newark for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$1.4M to the City of Newark for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy13,271 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$4.4M to the City of Newark for repairs44 flood claims paid for it, $12.4M
- 2011Severe Storm$7K to the City of Newark for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene2,122 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved18 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$469K to the City of Newark for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$13K to the City of Newark for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding176 households applied for aid$172K aid approved$96K to the City of Newark for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$446K to the City of Newark for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $516K
Essex County has had 24 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 Newark after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Newark archive →Newark and its neighbors
Newark is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Orange | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 58 |
| Elizabeth | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 228 |
| Maplewood Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 86 |
| Irvington Township | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| Newark | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 222 |
| South Orange Village Township | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Kearny | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
| Belleville Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| Harrison | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Silver Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Ampere North | — | 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 Newark 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.
- 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 Newark
Is Newark at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Newark has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #195 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Newark flood?
Flood insurance has paid 222 claims in Newark since 1978, $26.0M in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (44).
Is Newark 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 Essex County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Newark?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Newark’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 Newark?
By FEMA money that reached Newark, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 5,865 households applied for aid, $16.3M approved, and $3.8M to the City of Newark for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 44 paid, $12.4M.
Is Newark at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Newark’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Newark.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Newark’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.