Photo: Doc Searls · CC BY 2.0For coastal flooding, North Bergen Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bergen Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #202 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then coastal flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 109 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 North Bergen Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Bergen Township 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
Coastal 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 North Bergen Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Bergen Township, and North Bergen Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #202 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Bergen Township’s residents live in 14 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 Bergen Township has less expected damage per building than 57% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.3M a year in losses across North Bergen Township: $9.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Bergen Township flood? Yes: 109 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Bergen Township, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy16 claims · $3.7M
- Hurricane Ida11 claims · $204K
North Bergen Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hudson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Bergen Township
Disasters that paid out in North Bergen Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to North Bergen Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida995 households applied for aid$4.1M aid approved$647K to North Bergen Township for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $204K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$129K to North Bergen Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy805 households applied for aid$144K aid approved$587K to North Bergen Township for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $3.7M
- 2011Hurricane Irene91 households applied for aid$163K aid approved$82K to North Bergen Township for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $161K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to North Bergen Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding15 households applied for aid$5K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Hudson County has had 15 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 Bergen Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Bergen Township archive →North Bergen Township and its neighbors
North Bergen Township is 2nd of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union City | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| North Bergen Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 109 |
| Fairview | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Guttenberg | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Jersey City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1,361 |
| West New York | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Secaucus | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Ridgefield | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 106 |
| Edgewater | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 70 |
| Carlstadt | D−more damage than 97% | coastal flooding | 74 |
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 Bergen Township 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 North Bergen Township
Is North Bergen Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Bergen Township has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #202 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and coastal flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Bergen Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 109 claims in North Bergen Township since 1978, $5.3M in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (16).
Is North Bergen Township 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 Hudson County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Bergen Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Bergen Township’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 Bergen Township?
By FEMA money that reached North Bergen Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 995 households applied for aid, $4.1M approved, and $647K to North Bergen Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 16 paid, $3.7M.
Is North Bergen Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and North Bergen Township’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Bergen Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Bergen Township’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.