Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pompton Lakes than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pompton Lakes gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #461 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). Flood insurance has paid 2,301 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 Pompton Lakes’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pompton Lakes 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 Pompton Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 97% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pompton Lakes, and Pompton Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #461 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pompton Lakes’ 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, Pompton Lakes has more expected damage per building than 99% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Pompton Lakes: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pompton Lakes flood? Yes: 2,301 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pompton Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 533.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene452 claims · $21.6M
- The March 2010 nor’easter266 claims · $6.7M
- Hurricane Floyd231 claims · $4.9M
Pompton Lakes is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Passaic County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pompton Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Pompton Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Pompton Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida73 households applied for aid$90K aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$30K to the Borough of Pompton Lakes for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy66 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$80K to the Borough of Pompton Lakes for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene624 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$760K to the Borough of Pompton Lakes for repairs452 flood claims paid for it, $21.6M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to the Borough of Pompton Lakes for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding184 households applied for aid$364K aid approved$140K to the Borough of Pompton Lakes for repairs
Show all 9
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding182 households applied for aid$169K aid approved$47K to the Borough of Pompton Lakes for repairs220 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding49 households applied for aid$55K aid approved165 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$75K to the Borough of Pompton Lakes for repairs231 flood claims paid for it, $4.9M
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 Pompton Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pompton Lakes archive →Pompton Lakes and its neighbors
Pompton Lakes is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Wanaque | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Riverdale | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 102 |
| Bloomingdale | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| 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 | |
| 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 Pompton Lakes 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.
- Pompton Lakes 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 Pompton Lakes
Is Pompton Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pompton Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #461 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (97%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pompton Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,301 claims in Pompton Lakes since 1978, $55.3M in all, or 533.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 319 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (452).
Is Pompton Lakes 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 Pompton Lakes?
Pompton Lakes 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 Pompton Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Pompton Lakes, Hurricane Irene (2011): 624 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved, and $760K to the Borough of Pompton Lakes for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 452 paid, $21.6M.
Is Pompton Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (97%), and Pompton Lakes’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pompton Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pompton Lakes’ 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.