Photo: Shannon McGee · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Clifton than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1983.
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 Clifton 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
Tornadoes
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 Clifton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clifton, and Clifton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 7%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Clifton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Clifton: $807K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clifton flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clifton, from FEMA’s records: 21.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms4 claims · $168K
- The Heavy rains2 claims · $23K
Clifton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clifton
Disasters that paid out in Clifton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clifton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2026Severe Winter Storm16 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$52K to the City of Clifton for repairs
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes13 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$15K to the City of Clifton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes65 households applied for aid$146K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding26 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$5K to the City of Clifton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Wayne County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Clifton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clifton archive →Get ready for what Clifton 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Clifton
Is Clifton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clifton has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and earthquakes (7%). 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 Clifton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Clifton since 1983, $243K in all, or 21.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (4).
Is Clifton 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 Wayne County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clifton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clifton’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 Clifton?
By FEMA money that reached Clifton, Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (2010): 65 households applied for aid, $146K approved. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 4 paid, $168K.
Is Clifton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Clifton’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clifton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clifton’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.