Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Oakland faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #349 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 556 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 Oakland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oakland 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 Oakland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oakland, and Oakland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C #349 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oakland’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, Oakland has more expected damage per building than 75% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Oakland: $5.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oakland flood? Yes: 556 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oakland, from FEMA’s records: 118.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd123 claims · $2.2M
- Hurricane Irene112 claims · $5.1M
- The Torrential rain49 claims · $847K
Oakland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bergen County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oakland
Disasters that paid out in Oakland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Oakland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida91 households applied for aid$168K aid approved$121K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$82K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy61 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$164K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$27K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene197 households applied for aid$607K aid approved$143K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs112 flood claims paid for it, $5.1M
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$37K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding29 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$26K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding49 households applied for aid$32K aid approved85 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$143K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs123 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
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 Oakland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oakland archive →Oakland and its neighbors
Oakland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Lakes | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Mahwah Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 186 |
| Wayne Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5,568 |
| Oakland | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 556 |
| Pines Lake | — | 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 Oakland 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.
- Oakland residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Oakland
Is Oakland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oakland has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #349 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oakland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 556 claims in Oakland since 1978, $10.5M in all, or 118.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 68 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (123).
Is Oakland 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 Oakland?
Oakland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Oakland?
By FEMA money that reached Oakland, Hurricane Irene (2011): 197 households applied for aid, $607K approved, and $143K to the Borough of Oakland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 123 paid, $2.2M.
Is Oakland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Oakland’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oakland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oakland’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.