Photo: Peteblac cem · Public domainFEMA puts Saddle Brook Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saddle Brook Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #303 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 404 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 stands out about Saddle Brook Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Saddle Brook 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
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 Saddle Brook Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Saddle Brook Township, and Saddle Brook Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
C #303 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Saddle Brook 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, Saddle Brook Township has more expected damage per building than 65% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Saddle Brook Township: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Saddle Brook Township flood? Yes: 404 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Saddle Brook Township, from FEMA’s records: 71.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene159 claims · $5.8M
- Hurricane Floyd98 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Ida62 claims · $2.6M
Saddle Brook 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 Saddle Brook Township
Disasters that paid out in Saddle Brook Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Saddle Brook Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida274 households applied for aid$758K aid approved$119K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs62 flood claims paid for it, $2.6M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$64K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy152 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$169K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$59K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene438 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$151K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs159 flood claims paid for it, $5.8M
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$31K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$43K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding134 households applied for aid$214K aid approved$61K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs52 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$164K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs98 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
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 Saddle Brook Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Saddle Brook Township archive →Saddle Brook Township and its neighbors
Saddle Brook Township is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair Lawn | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 291 |
| Garfield | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 307 |
| Saddle Brook Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 404 |
| Lodi | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 901 |
| Rochelle Park Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 838 |
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 Saddle Brook 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.
- 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 Saddle Brook Township
Is Saddle Brook Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Saddle Brook Township has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #303 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Saddle Brook Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 404 claims in Saddle Brook Township since 1979, $13.3M in all, or 71.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 51 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (159).
Is Saddle Brook 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 Saddle Brook Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Saddle Brook 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 Saddle Brook Township?
By FEMA money that reached Saddle Brook Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 438 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $151K to Saddle Brook Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 159 paid, $5.8M.
Is Saddle Brook Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Saddle Brook Township’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Saddle Brook Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Saddle Brook 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.