Enter any address in Morris County, New Jersey to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Morris County. Recent events include flash flooding on July 14th and July 31st, 2025, both triggered by showers and thunderstorms. A more widespread flood event occurred on January 1st, 2024, associated with a coastal surface low that brought between 1.00 and 3.00 inches of rain, leading to prevalent river flooding across multiple basins.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A, with an average payout of $22,847 and an average water depth of 7.5 feet. Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X also show substantial claims, with average payouts exceeding $15,000 and $19,000 respectively, and average water depths around 2 to 4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, as well as those in Zones X_UNSHADED and X, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
30 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Morris County, New Jersey has recorded 151 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 63 flash floods and 85 river or area floods. The county has received 33 federal disaster declarations, 4 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 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Jan 1, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 28, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 100.00K |
| Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A stationary front sparked off showers and thunderstorms across the forecast area. Flash flooding resulted.
Flash Flood — May 14, 2025
Scattered thunderstorms producing heavy rain developed across the area on the afternoon of May 14.
Flash Flood — Jul 14, 2025
An approaching cold front sparked off showers and thunderstorms across the forecast area. Flash flooding resulted.
Flash Flood — Aug 18, 2024
Waves of showers and thunderstorms ahead of a cold front produced widespread showers and thunderstorms. A few storms produced damaging wind gusts, knocking down trees and power lines across portions of New Jersey.
Flood — Jan 10, 2024
Strong low pressure tracked to the northwest of the forecast area on Tuesday into early Wednesday (January 9-10th). A cold front associated with the low swept through the region on Wednesday. In the system���s wake, total rainfall amounts varied from about 1.50 inches up to about 4.00 inches. The rain fell on already saturated soils and there was some snow on the ground that melted and al...
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 Morris 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 Morris 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.