Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Wharton faces less hazard damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wharton gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #92 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2007.
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 Wharton 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 Wharton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wharton, and Wharton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 5% (higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #92 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wharton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Wharton has less expected damage per building than 81% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Wharton: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wharton flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wharton, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $13K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $38K
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $9K
Wharton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Morris County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wharton
Disasters that paid out in Wharton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Wharton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida24 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy140 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$99K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$25K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene70 households applied for aid$156K aid approved$50K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $38K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$23K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$27K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs
Morris County has had 25 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 Wharton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wharton archive →Wharton and its neighbors
Wharton is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mine Hill Township | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Roxbury Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Wharton | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Rockaway Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Dover | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 530 |
| Mount Hope | — | 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 Wharton 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 Wharton
Is Wharton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wharton has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #92 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (5%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wharton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Wharton since 2007, $78K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from March 2010 Nor'easter (1).
Is Wharton 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 Morris County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wharton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wharton’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 Wharton?
By FEMA money that reached Wharton, Hurricane Irene (2011): 70 households applied for aid, $156K approved, and $50K to the Borough of Wharton for repairs. By flood claims, March 2010 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Wharton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Wharton’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wharton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wharton’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.