Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Paterson faces more hazard damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paterson gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #276 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 1,078 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 Paterson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Paterson 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
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 Paterson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Paterson, and Paterson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 7% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #276 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Paterson’s residents live in 40 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, Paterson has more expected damage per building than 59% of New Jersey towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Paterson has higher expected damage per building than 55% (#219 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $34.5M, is the 328th largest of those 400.
Does Paterson flood? Yes: 1,078 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Paterson, from FEMA’s records: 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene285 claims · $15.8M
- The April 2007 nor’easter170 claims · $4.7M
- The March 2010 nor’easter114 claims · $4.2M
Paterson 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Paterson
Disasters that paid out in Paterson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Paterson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida2,411 households applied for aid$4.9M aid approved$3.1M to the City of Paterson for repairs68 flood claims paid for it, $3.6M
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$76K to the City of Paterson for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy3,403 households applied for aid$369K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Paterson for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$73K to the City of Paterson for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$881K to the City of Paterson for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene3,079 households applied for aid$6.0M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Paterson for repairs285 flood claims paid for it, $15.8M
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$139K to the City of Paterson for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding292 households applied for aid$439K aid approved$541K to the City of Paterson for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding448 households applied for aid$484K aid approved$399K to the City of Paterson for repairs178 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding94 households applied for aid$149K aid approved68 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$99K to the City of Paterson for repairs100 flood claims paid for it, $5.7M
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 Paterson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Paterson archive →Paterson and its neighbors
Paterson is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 125 |
| Elmwood Park | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 80 |
| Fair Lawn | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 291 |
| Totowa | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 475 |
| Paterson | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1,078 |
| Woodland Park | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 572 |
| 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 Paterson 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.
- 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 Paterson
Is Paterson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Paterson has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #276 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Paterson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,078 claims in Paterson since 1978, $41.8M in all, or 20.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 196 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (285).
Is Paterson 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 Paterson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Paterson’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 Paterson?
By FEMA money that reached Paterson, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 2,411 households applied for aid, $4.9M approved, and $3.1M to the City of Paterson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 285 paid, $15.8M.
Is Paterson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Paterson’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Paterson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Paterson’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.