Photo: Hudconja · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in West New York than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West New York gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #327 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 West New York 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 New York’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in West New York, and West New York’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
C #327 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West New York’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, West New York has more expected damage per building than 70% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across West New York: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West New York flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West New York, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy7 claims · $2.5M
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $3K
West New York 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 West New York
Disasters that paid out in West New York itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of West New York), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida261 households applied for aid$728K aid approved$750K to the Town of West New York for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$93K to the Town of West New York for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy664 households applied for aid$163K aid approved$308K to the Town of West New York for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene17 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$43K to the Town of West New York for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$45K to the Town of West New York for repairs
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 West New York after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West New York archive →West New York and its neighbors
West New York is 5th of the 5 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 |
| North Bergen Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 109 |
| Guttenberg | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Weehawken Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 90 |
| West New York | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
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 New York 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 New York
Is West New York at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West New York has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #327 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 West New York flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in West New York since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (7).
Is West New York 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 West New York?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West New York’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 New York?
By FEMA money that reached West New York, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 261 households applied for aid, $728K approved, and $750K to the Town of West New York for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 7 paid, $2.5M.
Is West New York at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and West New York’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West New York.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West New York’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.