Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Ringwood than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ringwood gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #352 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1979.
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 Ringwood 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 Ringwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ringwood, and Ringwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C #352 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ringwood’s residents live in 2 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, Ringwood has more expected damage per building than 75% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Ringwood: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ringwood flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ringwood, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $19K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $19K
- Tropical Storm Henri2 claims · $50K
Ringwood 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ringwood
Disasters that paid out in Ringwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Ringwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida54 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$50K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $19K
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$152K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy76 households applied for aid$752 aid approved$144K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$130K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene95 households applied for aid$233K aid approved$572K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $19K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$51K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$128K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding17 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$27K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$65K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Ringwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ringwood archive →Ringwood and its neighbors
Ringwood is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramapo | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 335 |
| Warwick | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| West Milford Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Ringwood | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Wanaque | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Bloomingdale | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
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 Ringwood 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ringwood
Is Ringwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ringwood has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #352 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ringwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in Ringwood since 1979, $189K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (2).
Is Ringwood 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 Ringwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ringwood’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 Ringwood?
By FEMA money that reached Ringwood, Hurricane Irene (2011): 95 households applied for aid, $233K approved, and $572K to the Borough of Ringwood for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Ringwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and Ringwood’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ringwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ringwood’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.