Photo: Lithium6ion · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Wayne Township than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wayne Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #285 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 5,568 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 Wayne Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wayne 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
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 Wayne Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wayne Township, and Wayne Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #285 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wayne Township’s residents live in 11 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, Wayne Township has more expected damage per building than 61% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.4M a year in losses across Wayne Township: $23.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wayne Township flood? Yes: 5,568 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wayne Township, from FEMA’s records: 294.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene766 claims · $44.6M
- The March 2010 nor’easter596 claims · $17.8M
- The April 2007 nor’easter536 claims · $15.8M
Wayne Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Passaic County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wayne Township
Disasters that paid out in Wayne Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Wayne Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida418 households applied for aid$898K aid approved$370K to Wayne Township for repairs73 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$917K to Wayne Township for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy411 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$1.3M to Wayne Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$257K to Wayne Township for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$103K to Wayne Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene1,209 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$831K to Wayne Township for repairs766 flood claims paid for it, $44.6M
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$93K to Wayne Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding441 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$668K to Wayne Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding424 households applied for aid$877K aid approved$469K to Wayne Township for repairs549 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding245 households applied for aid$281K aid approved510 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$508K to Wayne Township for repairs376 flood claims paid for it, $7.1M
Passaic County has had 21 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 Wayne Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wayne Township archive →Wayne Township and its neighbors
Wayne Township is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1,821 |
| Totowa | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 475 |
| Wayne Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5,568 |
| Little Falls Township | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 1,657 |
| Pequannock Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 2,037 |
| Haledon | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Lincoln Park | Dmore damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 2,935 |
| Pompton Lakes | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 2,301 |
| Pompton Plains | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Singac | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Pines Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Wayne 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.
- 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.
- Wayne Township residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Wayne Township
Is Wayne Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wayne Township has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #285 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wayne Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5,568 claims in Wayne Township since 1978, $125M in all, or 294.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 697 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (766).
Is Wayne 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 Passaic County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wayne Township?
Wayne Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Wayne Township?
By FEMA money that reached Wayne Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 1,209 households applied for aid, $5.0M approved, and $831K to Wayne Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 766 paid, $44.6M.
Is Wayne Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Wayne Township’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wayne Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wayne 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.