Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Rockaway Township than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockaway Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #93 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 53 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 Rockaway Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rockaway 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 Rockaway Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockaway Township, and Rockaway Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #93 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rockaway Township’s residents live in 6 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, Rockaway Township has less expected damage per building than 80% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.9M a year in losses across Rockaway Township: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockaway Township flood? Sometimes: 53 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockaway Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $298K
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $59K
Rockaway 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: Morris County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockaway Township
Disasters that paid out in Rockaway Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Rockaway Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$177K to Rockaway Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$56K to Rockaway Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$108K to Rockaway Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$89K to Rockaway Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$289K to Rockaway Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$48K to Rockaway Township for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene$50K to Rockaway Township for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $298K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$77K to Rockaway Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$18K to Rockaway Township for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$6K to Rockaway Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$21K to Rockaway Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $59K
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 Rockaway Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockaway Township archive →Rockaway Township and its neighbors
Rockaway Township is 4th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randolph Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Jefferson Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Wharton | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Rockaway Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Denville Township | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| West Milford Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Rockaway | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 73 |
| Dover | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 530 |
| Boonton Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| White Meadow Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Newfoundland | — | 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 Rockaway 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 Rockaway Township
Is Rockaway Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockaway Township has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #93 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rockaway Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 53 claims in Rockaway Township since 1978, $600K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (12).
Is Rockaway 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 Rockaway Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockaway 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 Rockaway Township?
By FEMA money that reached Rockaway Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $289K to Rockaway Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 12 paid, $298K.
Is Rockaway Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Rockaway Township’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockaway Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockaway 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.