Watchung, NJ natural hazards
Most of the natural-hazard damage FEMA expects in Watchung comes from inland flooding, and overall the risk is high for a U.S. community. Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1978. 9 federal disasters brought FEMA money into town.
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 · OpenFEMA claims, aid & declarationsHow exposed is Watchung?
FEMA expects yearly storm and flood damage to homes and buildings in Watchung to be higher than in 76% of U.S. communities, mostly from inland flooding.
What Watchung faces
Each hazard’s share of the damage FEMA expects here, and how that compares with the rest of the country.
Inland flooding
Lower here
Not a risk here
Does Watchung flood?
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watchung, from FEMA’s records.
Biggest named events
- 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding: 4 claims, $146K
- Hurricane Ida: 4 claims, $186K
- Hurricane Irene: 3 claims, $87K
Homes that flooded again and again
■ FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0) ■ flooded 2+ times
are insured
are insured
What’s been done with FEMA grants
9 federal disasters brought FEMA money here
Disasters the President declared that paid out in Watchung itself: aid to households, or repair grants to the Borough of Watchung.
Remnants of Hurricane Ida
Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm
Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Irene
Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm
Severe Storms and Flooding
Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations
Watchung and the towns around it
How to read this page
FEMA’s expected losses across Watchung total about $4.8M a year, counting buildings, people and crops.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025); 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. Census tracts: U.S. Census Bureau.