Hackensack Water Company Complex · Photo: Jim.henderson · CC0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Weehawken Township than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weehawken Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #270 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 90 claims here since 1988.
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 Weehawken 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
Hurricanes
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 Weehawken Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Weehawken Township, and Weehawken Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #270 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Weehawken Township’s 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, Weehawken Township has more expected damage per building than 58% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Weehawken Township: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Weehawken Township flood? Sometimes: 90 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Weehawken Township, from FEMA’s records: 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy79 claims · $7.5M
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $45K
- The December Storm - nor’easter1 claim · $1K
Weehawken 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: Hudson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Weehawken Township
Disasters that paid out in Weehawken Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Weehawken Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida116 households applied for aid$349K aid approved$1.8M to Weehawken Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $45K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$94K to Weehawken Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy426 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$1.1M to Weehawken Township for repairs79 flood claims paid for it, $7.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene14 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$42K to Weehawken Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$53K to Weehawken Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$624 aid approved$1K to Weehawken Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Weehawken Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Weehawken Township archive →Weehawken Township and its neighbors
Weehawken Township is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union City | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Weehawken Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| West New York | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Hoboken | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1,621 |
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 Weehawken 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Weehawken Township
Is Weehawken Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weehawken Township has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #270 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Weehawken Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 90 claims in Weehawken Township since 1988, $8.4M in all, or 9.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (79).
Is Weehawken 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 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 Weehawken Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Weehawken 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 Weehawken Township?
By FEMA money that reached Weehawken Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 426 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $1.1M to Weehawken Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 79 paid, $7.5M.
Is Weehawken Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Weehawken Township’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Weehawken Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Weehawken 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.