Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Stanhope faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stanhope gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #60 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then strong wind (27%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1996.
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 Stanhope 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
Strong wind
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 Stanhope’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stanhope, and Stanhope’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #60 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Stanhope’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Stanhope has less expected damage per building than 87% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Stanhope: $587K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stanhope flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stanhope, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Stanhope isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sussex County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stanhope
Disasters that paid out in Stanhope itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Stanhope), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Borough of Stanhope for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$7K to the Borough of Stanhope for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy298 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$79K to the Borough of Stanhope for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$39K to the Borough of Stanhope for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene128 households applied for aid$296K aid approved$16K to the Borough of Stanhope for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$46K to the Borough of Stanhope for repairs
Sussex County has had 20 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 Stanhope after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stanhope archive →Stanhope and its neighbors
Stanhope is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netcong | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Stanhope | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hopatcong | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Roxbury Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Mount Olive Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Byram Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Byram Center | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Port Morris | — | 858 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 Stanhope 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Stanhope
Is Stanhope at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stanhope has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #60 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and strong wind (27%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stanhope flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Stanhope since 1996, $16K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Stanhope 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 Sussex County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Stanhope?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stanhope’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 Stanhope?
By FEMA money that reached Stanhope, Hurricane Irene (2011): 128 households applied for aid, $296K approved, and $16K to the Borough of Stanhope for repairs.
Is Stanhope at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Stanhope’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stanhope.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stanhope’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.