Photo: Jared Kofsky/placenj.com · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Westwood than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westwood gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #317 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 629 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 Westwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Westwood 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
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 Westwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Westwood, and Westwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 6% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C #317 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Westwood’s residents live in 2 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, Westwood has more expected damage per building than 68% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.0M a year in losses across Westwood: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Westwood flood? Yes: 629 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Westwood, from FEMA’s records: 150.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene143 claims · $4.9M
- Hurricane Floyd117 claims · $4.2M
- The April 2007 nor’easter107 claims · $3.4M
Westwood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bergen County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Westwood
Disasters that paid out in Westwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Westwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida174 households applied for aid$215K aid approved$49K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs54 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$121K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy48 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$110K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$43K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene182 households applied for aid$354K aid approved$81K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs143 flood claims paid for it, $4.9M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$46K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding102 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$71K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs109 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$228K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs117 flood claims paid for it, $4.2M
Bergen County has had 23 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 Westwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Westwood archive →Westwood and its neighbors
Westwood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Washington Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
| Hillsdale | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 341 |
| River Vale Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 112 |
| Westwood | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 629 |
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 Westwood 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.
- 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.
- Westwood residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Westwood
Is Westwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Westwood has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #317 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Westwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 629 claims in Westwood since 1978, $17.7M in all, or 150.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 107 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (143).
Is Westwood 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 Bergen County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Westwood?
Westwood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Westwood?
By FEMA money that reached Westwood, Hurricane Irene (2011): 182 households applied for aid, $354K approved, and $81K to the Borough of Westwood for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 143 paid, $4.9M.
Is Westwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Westwood’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Westwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Westwood’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.