Photo: Jallgor · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in River Vale Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Vale Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #252 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 112 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 River Vale Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What River Vale 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
Hurricanes
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 Vale Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in River Vale Township, and River Vale Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #252 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
River Vale Township’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 Vale Township has more expected damage per building than 54% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across River Vale Township: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does River Vale Township flood? Yes: 112 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in River Vale Township, from FEMA’s records: 31.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene26 claims · $1.1M
- The April 2007 nor’easter19 claims · $816K
- The March 2010 nor’easter13 claims · $343K
River Vale Township 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 Vale Township
Disasters that paid out in River Vale Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to River Vale Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida38 households applied for aid$122K aid approved$188K to River Vale Township for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $540K
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$75K to River Vale Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$118K to River Vale Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$76K to River Vale Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy3 households applied for aid$259K to River Vale Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$107K to River Vale Township for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene12 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$36K to River Vale Township for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to River Vale Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$613 aid approved$82K to River Vale Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding1 households applied for aid$105K to River Vale Township for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$16K to River Vale Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $74K
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 Vale Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the River Vale Township archive →River Vale Township and its neighbors
River Vale Township is 7th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montvale | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Emerson | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Old Tappan | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Park Ridge | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Hillsdale | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
| Harrington Park | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
| River Vale Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 112 |
| Westwood | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 629 |
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 Vale 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Vale Township
Is River Vale Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Vale Township has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #252 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does River Vale Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 112 claims in River Vale Township since 1978, $3.6M in all, or 31.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (26).
Is River Vale 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 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 Vale Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for River Vale Township’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 Vale Township?
By FEMA money that reached River Vale Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 38 households applied for aid, $122K approved, and $188K to River Vale Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 26 paid, $1.1M.
Is River Vale Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and River Vale Township’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Vale Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Vale 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.