Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Paramus as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paramus gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #209 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 140 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 Paramus’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Paramus 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
Earthquakes
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 Paramus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paramus, and Paramus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #209 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paramus’ residents live in 6 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, Paramus has less expected damage per building than 55% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.1M a year in losses across Paramus: $10.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Paramus flood? Yes: 140 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paramus, from FEMA’s records: 15.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene39 claims · $833K
- Hurricane Floyd32 claims · $727K
- Hurricane Ida26 claims · $2.4M
Paramus 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Paramus
Disasters that paid out in Paramus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Paramus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida305 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$200K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $2.4M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$466K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$340K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$107K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy198 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$1.4M to the Borough of Paramus for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$234K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene120 households applied for aid$244K aid approved$241K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs39 flood claims paid for it, $833K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$99K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$200K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding99 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$42K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$57K to the Borough of Paramus for repairs32 flood claims paid for it, $727K
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 Paramus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paramus archive →Paramus and its neighbors
Paramus is 6th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Maywood | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 43 |
| Oradell | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Washington Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Fair Lawn | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 291 |
| Paramus | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
| Hackensack | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 416 |
| River Edge | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Rochelle Park Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 838 |
| Ridgewood | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
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 Paramus 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Paramus
Is Paramus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paramus has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #209 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paramus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 140 claims in Paramus since 1978, $4.8M in all, or 15.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (39).
Is Paramus 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 Paramus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paramus’ 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 Paramus?
By FEMA money that reached Paramus, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 198 households applied for aid, $5K approved, and $1.4M to the Borough of Paramus for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 39 paid, $833K.
Is Paramus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Paramus’ rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paramus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paramus’ 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.