Photo: Adam Moss · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Roselle Park faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roselle Park gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #45 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 60 claims here since 1983.
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 Roselle Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roselle Park 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
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 Roselle Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roselle Park, and Roselle Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #45 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roselle Park’s 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, Roselle Park has less expected damage per building than 91% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.3M a year in losses across Roselle Park: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roselle Park flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roselle Park, from FEMA’s records: 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida22 claims · $512K
- Hurricane Irene13 claims · $108K
- The April 2007 nor’easter6 claims · $44K
Roselle Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roselle Park
Disasters that paid out in Roselle Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Roselle Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida417 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$184K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs22 flood claims paid for it, $512K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy379 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$328K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$5K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene331 households applied for aid$691K aid approved$36K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $108K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding43 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$41K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$6K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
Union 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 Roselle Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roselle Park archive →Roselle Park and its neighbors
Roselle Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roselle Park | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Elizabeth | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 228 |
| Kenilworth | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 154 |
| Cranford Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1,484 |
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 Roselle Park 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.
- 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 Roselle Park
Is Roselle Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roselle Park has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #45 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roselle Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Roselle Park since 1983, $763K in all, or 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (22).
Is Roselle Park 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 Union County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roselle Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roselle Park’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 Roselle Park?
By FEMA money that reached Roselle Park, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 417 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $184K to the Borough of Roselle Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 22 paid, $512K.
Is Roselle Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Roselle Park’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roselle Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roselle Park’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.