Enter any address in Bergen County, New Jersey to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flooding in Bergen County, NJ. Over the past 30 years, the NOAA Storm Events Database recorded 269 flash flood events, along with 107 general flood events, 3 tropical storms, and 1 coastal flood event. Recent examples include flash flooding on July 14, 2025, and August 18, 2024, where heavy thunderstorms produced rainfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour, leading to widespread flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $32,248 and an average water depth of 6.1 feet. Properties in Zone X also see significant claims, averaging $24,134 with 4.4 feet of water. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood zone designations or without a Base Flood Elevation (BFE), should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
157 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Bergen County, New Jersey has recorded 380 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 269 flash floods and 107 river or area floods. The county has received 32 federal disaster declarations, 5 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Isaias | Hurricane | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Mar 6, 2018 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 26, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 29, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 8, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
A weak front approached from the west along with PW of 2 inches resulting in heavy rainfall across the area. 4 to 6.5 inches of rainfall totals were reported with rainfall rates between 1 to 2 inches.
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2024
A frontal system over the area on August 18th produced heavy thunderstorms that were fairly slow moving over northeast New Jersey. A cold front moving in from the west late in the afternoon produced heavy thunderstorms with an environmental MUCAPE of 2000-3000 J/kg and PWAT values of 1.7-1.8 inches. These slow moving thunderstorms produce rainfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour over New Jersey wi...
Flash Flood — Jul 17, 2024
An approaching cold front and trough produced thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening on July 17th that resulted in localized flash flooding in northern New Jersey. MUCAPE values of 1000-2000 J/kg and PWATs of 2-2.2 inches allowed the thunderstorms to produce heavy rainfall rates of 1-2 per hour. The thunderstorms produced rainfall totals of 1 to 2.5 inches.
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2024
Several rounds of heavy thunderstorms developed over the area on the afternoon of August 6th. A slow moving frontal system stalled out over the area. PWATs of 2-2.2 inches and a sharp gradient of MUCAPE peaking out over the area near 2500 J/kg allowed for the development of strong thunderstorms producing torrential rainfall with rates upwards of 1.5-2.5 inches per hour. Total rainfall was 1-3 i...
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2024
A stationary front over the area on August 3rd was the focus for the development of several rounds of heavy thunderstorms across the area. These thundersotmrs produced flash flooding in portions of northeast New Jersey. CAPE values of near 2000 J/kg with PWATs of of around 2 inches resulted in thunderstorms producing torrential rainfall with rates upwards of 2 per hour. Rainfall totals were 1-3...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Bergen County, New Jersey:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Bergen County, New Jersey that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.