Photo: Jim.henderson · Public domainFEMA puts Wallington’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wallington gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #453 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). Flood insurance has paid 638 claims here since 1984.
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 Wallington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wallington 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
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 Wallington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 95% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wallington, and Wallington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #453 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wallington’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, Wallington has more expected damage per building than 97% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.6M a year in losses across Wallington: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wallington flood? Yes: 638 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wallington, from FEMA’s records: 127.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene287 claims · $6.3M
- Hurricane Ida107 claims · $3.4M
- Hurricane Floyd84 claims · $871K
Wallington 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wallington
Disasters that paid out in Wallington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Wallington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida397 households applied for aid$811K aid approved$4.1M to the Borough of Wallington for repairs107 flood claims paid for it, $3.4M
- 2012Hurricane Sandy201 households applied for aid$129K aid approved$98K to the Borough of Wallington for repairs82 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2011Severe Storm$13K to the Borough of Wallington for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene760 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$379K to the Borough of Wallington for repairs287 flood claims paid for it, $6.3M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Borough of Wallington for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding70 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$15K to the Borough of Wallington for repairs70 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$381K to the Borough of Wallington for repairs84 flood claims paid for it, $871K
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 Wallington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wallington archive →Wallington and its neighbors
Wallington is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood-Ridge | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Passaic | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
| Garfield | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 307 |
| South Hackensack Township | Dmore damage than 86% | coastal flooding | 45 |
| East Rutherford | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 236 |
| Wallington | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 638 |
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 Wallington 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.
- 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 Wallington
Is Wallington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wallington has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #453 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (95%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wallington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 638 claims in Wallington since 1984, $13.4M in all, or 127.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 106 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (287).
Is Wallington 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 Wallington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wallington’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 Wallington?
By FEMA money that reached Wallington, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 397 households applied for aid, $811K approved, and $4.1M to the Borough of Wallington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 287 paid, $6.3M.
Is Wallington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (95%), and Wallington’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wallington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wallington’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.