Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Pequannock Township faces more hazard damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pequannock Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #404 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2,037 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 Pequannock Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pequannock Township 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 Pequannock Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pequannock Township, and Pequannock Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #404 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pequannock Township’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, Pequannock Township has more expected damage per building than 86% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.0M a year in losses across Pequannock Township: $7.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pequannock Township flood? Yes: 2,037 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pequannock Township, from FEMA’s records: 310.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene632 claims · $38.8M
- The March 2010 nor’easter323 claims · $10.4M
- The Late winter storms208 claims · $4.4M
Pequannock Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Morris County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pequannock Township
Disasters that paid out in Pequannock Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pequannock Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida13 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$6K to Pequannock Township for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$87K to Pequannock Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$98K to Pequannock Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to Pequannock Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to Pequannock Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy64 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$144K to Pequannock Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2011Hurricane Irene443 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$863K to Pequannock Township for repairs632 flood claims paid for it, $38.8M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to Pequannock Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding140 households applied for aid$230K aid approved$105K to Pequannock Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding66 households applied for aid$46K aid approved195 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding39 households applied for aid$26K aid approved91 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$120K to Pequannock Township for repairs117 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
Morris County has had 25 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 Pequannock Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pequannock Township archive →Pequannock Township and its neighbors
Pequannock Township is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinnelon | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Wayne Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5,568 |
| Pequannock Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2,037 |
| Riverdale | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Lincoln Park | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2,935 |
| Pompton Lakes | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2,301 |
| Pompton Plains | — | 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 Pequannock Township 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.
- Pequannock Township residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pequannock Township
Is Pequannock Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pequannock Township has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #404 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 Pequannock Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,037 claims in Pequannock Township since 1978, $66.6M in all, or 310.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 334 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (632).
Is Pequannock Township 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 Morris County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pequannock Township?
Pequannock Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Pequannock Township?
By FEMA money that reached Pequannock Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 443 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $863K to Pequannock Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 632 paid, $38.8M.
Is Pequannock Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Pequannock Township’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pequannock Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pequannock Township’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.