Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page, my Commons user talk page, or my English Wikipedia user talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, South Hackensack Township faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Hackensack Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #408 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (53%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 45 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 South Hackensack Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Hackensack Township faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain 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 South Hackensack Township’s grade
Coastal flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Hackensack Township, and South Hackensack Township’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
D #408 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Hackensack 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, South Hackensack Township has more expected damage per building than 87% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across South Hackensack Township: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Hackensack Township flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Hackensack Township, from FEMA’s records: 47.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene16 claims · $585K
- The April 2007 nor’easter11 claims · $329K
- Hurricane Ida4 claims · $460K
South Hackensack 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Hackensack Township
Disasters that paid out in South Hackensack Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to South Hackensack Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida105 households applied for aid$433K aid approved$33K to South Hackensack Township for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $460K
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to South Hackensack Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to South Hackensack Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy89 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$71K to South Hackensack Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$3K to South Hackensack Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene33 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$51K to South Hackensack Township for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $585K
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to South Hackensack Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding20 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$22K to South Hackensack Township for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$130K to South Hackensack Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $161K
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 South Hackensack Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Hackensack Township archive →South Hackensack Township and its neighbors
South Hackensack Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood-Ridge | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Garfield | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 307 |
| Hackensack | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 416 |
| Lodi | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 901 |
| South Hackensack Township | Dmore damage than 86% | coastal flooding | 45 |
| Wallington | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 638 |
| Carlstadt | D−more damage than 97% | coastal flooding | 74 |
| Little Ferry | D−more damage than 97% | coastal flooding | 1,192 |
| Moonachie | D−among the highest damage | coastal flooding | 234 |
| Teterboro | — | 136 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 South Hackensack 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 South Hackensack Township
Is South Hackensack Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Hackensack Township has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #408 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (53%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Hackensack Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in South Hackensack Township since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 47.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (16).
Is South Hackensack 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 South Hackensack Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Hackensack 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 South Hackensack Township?
By FEMA money that reached South Hackensack Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 105 households applied for aid, $433K approved, and $33K to South Hackensack Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 16 paid, $585K.
Is South Hackensack Township at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and South Hackensack Township’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Hackensack Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Hackensack 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.