Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Secaucus than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Secaucus gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #366 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then coastal flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 62 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 Secaucus’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Secaucus 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
Coastal 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 Secaucus’ grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Secaucus, and Secaucus’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #366 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Secaucus’ residents live in 4 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, Secaucus has more expected damage per building than 78% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.2M a year in losses across Secaucus: $10.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Secaucus flood? Sometimes: 62 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Secaucus, from FEMA’s records: 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy14 claims · $524K
- Hurricane Irene6 claims · $48K
- The December Storm - nor’easter5 claims · $55K
Secaucus isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hudson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Secaucus
Disasters that paid out in Secaucus itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Secaucus), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida356 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$137K to the Town of Secaucus for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $66K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$108K to the Town of Secaucus for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy487 households applied for aid$820K aid approved$2.5M to the Town of Secaucus for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $524K
- 2011Hurricane Irene203 households applied for aid$429K aid approved$59K to the Town of Secaucus for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $48K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$79K to the Town of Secaucus for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding40 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$53K to the Town of Secaucus for repairs
Hudson County has had 15 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 Secaucus after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Secaucus archive →Secaucus and its neighbors
Secaucus is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Bergen Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 109 |
| Jersey City | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1,361 |
| Secaucus | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 62 |
| Kearny | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 249 |
| Lyndhurst Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 452 |
| East Rutherford | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 236 |
| Carlstadt | D−more damage than 97% | coastal flooding | 74 |
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 Secaucus 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Secaucus
Is Secaucus at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Secaucus has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #366 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and coastal flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Secaucus flood?
Flood insurance has paid 62 claims in Secaucus since 1978, $812K in all, or 6.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (14).
Is Secaucus 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 Hudson County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Secaucus?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Secaucus’ 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 Secaucus?
By FEMA money that reached Secaucus, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 487 households applied for aid, $820K approved, and $2.5M to the Town of Secaucus for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 14 paid, $524K.
Is Secaucus at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Secaucus’ rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Secaucus.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Secaucus’ 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.