Photo: KForce at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in West Milford Township than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Milford Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #348 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). Flood insurance has paid 104 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 Milford Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What West Milford 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 West Milford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 93% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Milford Township, and West Milford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
C #348 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Milford Township’s residents live in 5 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 Milford Township has more expected damage per building than 74% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.8M a year in losses across West Milford Township: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Milford Township flood? Yes: 104 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Milford Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene28 claims · $934K
- Hurricane Floyd16 claims · $298K
- The Late winter storms6 claims · $87K
West Milford 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: Passaic County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Milford Township
Disasters that paid out in West Milford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Milford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida62 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$34K to West Milford Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$5K to West Milford Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy233 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$496K to West Milford Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $46K
- 2011Severe Storm$51K to West Milford Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene127 households applied for aid$412K aid approved$361K to West Milford Township for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $934K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$190K to West Milford Township for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding8 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$104K to West Milford Township for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$96K to West Milford Township for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $298K
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 West Milford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Milford Township archive →West Milford Township and its neighbors
West Milford Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Rockaway Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Vernon Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Kinnelon | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Milford Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
| Ringwood | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Butler | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Bloomingdale | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Newfoundland | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Macopin | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Oak Ridge | — | 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 West Milford 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Milford Township
Is West Milford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Milford Township has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #348 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (93%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Milford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 104 claims in West Milford Township since 1979, $1.9M in all, or 10.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (28).
Is West Milford 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 West Milford Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Milford 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 Milford Township?
By FEMA money that reached West Milford Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 127 households applied for aid, $412K approved, and $361K to West Milford Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 28 paid, $934K.
Is West Milford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (93%), and West Milford Township’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Milford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Milford 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.