Photo: JILLIEE · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in River Edge than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Edge gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #329 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 84 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 River Edge 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 River Edge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in River Edge, and River Edge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
C #329 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
River Edge’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, River Edge has more expected damage per building than 70% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across River Edge: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does River Edge flood? Sometimes: 84 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in River Edge, from FEMA’s records: 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene17 claims · $932K
- The April 2007 nor’easter14 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Sandy10 claims · $794K
River Edge 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 River Edge
Disasters that paid out in River Edge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of River Edge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida117 households applied for aid$376K aid approved$13K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $374K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$149K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$60K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$60K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy78 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$213K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $794K
- 2011Severe Storm$70K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene90 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$53K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $932K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$32K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$98K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding97 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$85K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$32K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
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 River Edge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the River Edge archive →River Edge and its neighbors
River Edge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaneck Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
| Oradell | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 28 |
| Paramus | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
| Hackensack | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 416 |
| New Milford | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 753 |
| River Edge | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 84 |
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 River Edge 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 River Edge
Is River Edge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Edge has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #329 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and earthquakes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does River Edge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 84 claims in River Edge since 1978, $4.1M in all, or 18.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (17).
Is River Edge 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 River Edge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for River Edge’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 River Edge?
By FEMA money that reached River Edge, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 117 households applied for aid, $376K approved, and $13K to the Borough of River Edge for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 17 paid, $932K.
Is River Edge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and River Edge’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Edge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Edge’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.