Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in North Plainfield than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Plainfield gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #437 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 523 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 Plainfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Plainfield 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 Plainfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Plainfield, and North Plainfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #437 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Plainfield’s residents live in 5 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 Plainfield has more expected damage per building than 93% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.3M a year in losses across North Plainfield: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Plainfield flood? Yes: 523 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Plainfield, from FEMA’s records: 66.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding106 claims · $6.8M
- Hurricane Ida97 claims · $3.5M
- Hurricane Irene85 claims · $874K
North Plainfield is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Plainfield
Disasters that paid out in North Plainfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of North Plainfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida352 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$401K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs97 flood claims paid for it, $3.5M
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$538K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$81K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy875 households applied for aid$177K aid approved$1.2M to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$56K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene238 households applied for aid$397K aid approved$153K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs85 flood claims paid for it, $874K
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$62K aid approved$72K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding42 households applied for aid$22K aid approved29 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$113K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs77 flood claims paid for it, $943K
Somerset County has had 22 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 Plainfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Plainfield archive →North Plainfield and its neighbors
North Plainfield is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watchung | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Green Brook Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 268 |
| Plainfield | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 961 |
| North Plainfield | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 523 |
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 Plainfield 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.
- North Plainfield residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Plainfield
Is North Plainfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Plainfield has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #437 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Plainfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 523 claims in North Plainfield since 1978, $13.3M in all, or 66.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 105 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding (106).
Is North Plainfield 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 Somerset County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Plainfield?
North Plainfield is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Plainfield?
By FEMA money that reached North Plainfield, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 352 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $401K to the Borough of North Plainfield for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding: 106 paid, $6.8M.
Is North Plainfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and North Plainfield’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Plainfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Plainfield’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.