Photo: EdZa · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, North Caldwell faces less hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Caldwell gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #99 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 25 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 Caldwell’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Caldwell 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 North Caldwell’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Caldwell, and North Caldwell’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #99 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Caldwell’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, North Caldwell has less expected damage per building than 79% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across North Caldwell: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Caldwell flood? Sometimes: 25 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Caldwell, from FEMA’s records: 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $206K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $9K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $2K
North Caldwell 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 North Caldwell
Disasters that paid out in North Caldwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of North Caldwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida30 households applied for aid$142K aid approved$285K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $206K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$43K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$79K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy81 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$230K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$188K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene24 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$29K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$70K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
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 North Caldwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Caldwell archive →North Caldwell and its neighbors
North Caldwell is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Caldwell | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| West Caldwell Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Cedar Grove Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Fairfield Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1,821 |
| Verona Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Little Falls Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,657 |
| Singac | — | 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 North Caldwell 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 North Caldwell
Is North Caldwell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Caldwell has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #99 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (5%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Caldwell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 25 claims in North Caldwell since 1978, $428K in all, or 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (7).
Is North Caldwell 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 North Caldwell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Caldwell’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 Caldwell?
By FEMA money that reached North Caldwell, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 30 households applied for aid, $142K approved, and $285K to the Borough of North Caldwell for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 7 paid, $206K.
Is North Caldwell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and North Caldwell’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Caldwell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Caldwell’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.