Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page, my Commons user talk page, or my English Wikipedia user talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in North Haledon than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Haledon gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #115 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1979.
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 Haledon 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 Haledon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Haledon, and North Haledon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #115 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Haledon’s residents live in 2 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 Haledon has less expected damage per building than 76% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across North Haledon: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Haledon flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Haledon, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida4 claims · $87K
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $20K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $19K
North Haledon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Passaic County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Haledon
Disasters that paid out in North Haledon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of North Haledon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida113 households applied for aid$321K aid approved$972K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $87K
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$164K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy34 households applied for aid$196K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $19K
- 2011Severe Storm$40K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$6K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene40 households applied for aid$84K aid approved$77K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$24K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding7 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$36K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$114K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $20K
Passaic 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 North Haledon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Haledon archive →North Haledon and its neighbors
North Haledon is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyckoff Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Franklin Lakes | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| North Haledon | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Wayne Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5,568 |
| Prospect Park | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hawthorne | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 241 |
| Haledon | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
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 Haledon 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 Haledon
Is North Haledon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Haledon has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #115 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Haledon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in North Haledon since 1979, $133K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (4).
Is North Haledon 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 Passaic County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Haledon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Haledon’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 Haledon?
By FEMA money that reached North Haledon, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 113 households applied for aid, $321K approved, and $972K to the Borough of North Haledon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 4 paid, $87K.
Is North Haledon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and North Haledon’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Haledon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Haledon’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.