Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in West Caldwell Township than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Caldwell Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #125 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 44 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 West Caldwell Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Caldwell 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
Earthquakes
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 West Caldwell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Caldwell Township, and West Caldwell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #125 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Caldwell Township’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, West Caldwell Township has less expected damage per building than 73% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across West Caldwell Township: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Caldwell Township flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Caldwell Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd7 claims · $816K
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Irene6 claims · $389K
West Caldwell 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: Essex County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Caldwell Township
Disasters that paid out in West Caldwell Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Caldwell Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida26 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$1.4M to West Caldwell Township for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$33K to West Caldwell Township for repairs
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$150K to West Caldwell Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$34K to West Caldwell Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy78 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$264K to West Caldwell Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$267K to West Caldwell Township for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene51 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$39K to West Caldwell Township for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $389K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$23K to West Caldwell Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding16 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$39K to West Caldwell Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$78K to West Caldwell Township for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $816K
Essex County has had 24 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 West Caldwell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Caldwell Township archive →West Caldwell Township and its neighbors
West Caldwell Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Essex Fells | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| North Caldwell | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 25 |
| West Caldwell Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Roseland | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Fairfield Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1,821 |
| East Hanover Township | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
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 West Caldwell 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 West Caldwell Township
Is West Caldwell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Caldwell Township has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #125 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Caldwell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in West Caldwell Township since 1979, $3.3M in all, or 10.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (7).
Is West Caldwell 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 Essex County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Caldwell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Caldwell 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 West Caldwell Township?
By FEMA money that reached West Caldwell Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 26 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $1.4M to West Caldwell Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 7 paid, $816K.
Is West Caldwell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and West Caldwell Township’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Caldwell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Caldwell 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.