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Teunis Haring HouseTeunis Haring House · Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Old Tappan · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Old Tappan faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Old Tappan gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #87 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1978.

River and rain flooding 83%Hurricanes 7%Earthquakes 6%

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

less than 72%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#87 of 468 in New Jersey
Hazard risk
B+#87 of 468
in New Jersey · lower than 72% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
83% of expected building damage
Flood claims
27
paid since 1978 · $576K
Flooded more than once
3
properties
Disasters paid out here
10
of 23 declared for Bergen County

What stands out about Old Tappan’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.Remembers 20118 flood claims were paid for 2011 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Old Tappan 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

83%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area

Hurricanes

7%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 7 years in the area

Earthquakes

6%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Strong wind Winter storms Hail Wildfire Ice storms Cold waves Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Old Tappan’s grade

River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Old Tappan, and Old Tappan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Old Tappan sits
Old Tappan
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B+ #87 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).

All of Old Tappan’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding83%Hurricanes7%Earthquakes6%Everything else3%

The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Old Tappan has less expected damage per building than 82% of New Jersey towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Old Tappan: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Shared tract.All of Old Tappan’s 5,888 residents (2020 census) live in one census tract. FEMA publishes its model by tract, so the rate and the hazard mix are the tract’s. The flood claims below are the town’s own.
A shared figure. The grade describes the whole tract, not each street in it, and FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Old Tappan flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Old Tappan, from FEMA’s records: 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1978: 1 claim1979: 3 claims1980: 2 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 0 claims1984: 4 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 1 claim1988: 0 claims1989: 1 claim1990: 1 claim1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 1 claim2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 2 claims2011: 8 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 1 claim2020: 0 claims2021: 2 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims197919842011
19782026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Irene3 claims · $275K
  • The Late winter storms3 claims · $88K
  • Hurricane Ida2 claims · $33K
27
paid claims since 1978
$576K
paid to owners
3
homes flooded more than once
$21K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Old Tappan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Bergen County.
Disasters

10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Old Tappan

Disasters that paid out in Old Tappan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Old Tappan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida31 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$273K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $33K
  2. 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$176K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs
  3. 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs
  4. 2012Hurricane Sandy15 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$181K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs
  5. 2011Severe Storm$87K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs
  6. 2011Hurricane Irene18 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$41K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $275K
Show all 10
  1. 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs
  2. 2010Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$33K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs
  3. 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$14K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  4. 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$24K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Old TappanBergen County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Old Tappan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Old Tappan archive →
Next door

Old Tappan and its neighbors

Old Tappan is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

River Vale Township: hazard risk C+Northvale: hazard risk A−Harrington Park: hazard risk B−River Vale TownshipNorthvaleHarrington ParkOld Tappan
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
NorthvaleA−less damage than 80%river and rain flooding42
Old TappanB+less damage than 72%river and rain flooding27
Harrington ParkB−more damage than 52%river and rain flooding19
River Vale TownshipC+more damage than 58%river and rain flooding112

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Old Tappan faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Earthquakes
  • Drop, cover and hold on.
  • Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
  • Know how to shut off the gas.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Old Tappan

Is Old Tappan at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Old Tappan has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #87 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and hurricanes (7%). 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 Old Tappan flood?

Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Old Tappan since 1978, $576K in all, or 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).

Is Old Tappan 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 Old Tappan?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Old Tappan’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 Old Tappan?

By FEMA money that reached Old Tappan, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 31 households applied for aid, $117K approved, and $273K to the Borough of Old Tappan for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $275K.

Is Old Tappan at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Old Tappan’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Old Tappan.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Old Tappan’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.