On FEMA’s figures, North Arlington faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Arlington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #338 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 47 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 North Arlington 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 North Arlington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Arlington, and North Arlington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #338 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Arlington’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, North Arlington has more expected damage per building than 72% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across North Arlington: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Arlington flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Arlington, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy20 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Irene11 claims · $350K
- Hurricane Ida8 claims · $109K
North Arlington 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.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Arlington
Disasters that paid out in North Arlington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of North Arlington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida234 households applied for aid$555K aid approved$460K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $109K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$100K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$110K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy158 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$500K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2011Severe Storm$179K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs
Show all 13
- 2011Hurricane Irene138 households applied for aid$216K aid approved$118K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $350K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$61K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$19K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms$37K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding38 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$11K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan$444K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$37K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $36K
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 North Arlington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Arlington archive →North Arlington and its neighbors
North Arlington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Arlington | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Kearny | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
| Belleville Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 217 |
| Lyndhurst Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 452 |
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 North Arlington 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 North Arlington
Is North Arlington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Arlington has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #338 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Arlington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in North Arlington since 1978, $2.6M in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (20).
Is North Arlington 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 North Arlington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Arlington’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 North Arlington?
By FEMA money that reached North Arlington, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 234 households applied for aid, $555K approved, and $460K to the Borough of North Arlington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 20 paid, $2.0M.
Is North Arlington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and North Arlington’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Arlington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Arlington’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.