Enter any address in Passaic County, New Jersey to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall and thunderstorms is the dominant flood character in Passaic County. Between 2000 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 135 flash flood events, alongside 44 general flood events, 5 tropical storms, and 5 coastal flood events. Recent events include flash flooding on August 18, 2024, caused by slow-moving thunderstorms producing rainfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour, and another flash flood event on October 30, 2025, resulting from widespread heavy rainfall.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with 10,802 claims filed. These claims averaged a payout of $21,990 and an average water depth of 9.0 feet. Properties in Zone X, X_SHADED, and X_UNSHADED also have NFIP claims, with payouts varying by zone. Residents in Zone A, as well as those in areas prone to flash flooding or near waterways, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
63 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Passaic County, New Jersey has recorded 189 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 135 flash floods and 44 river or area floods. The county has received 30 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 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Mar 6, 2018 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Severe Storm | Sep 28, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 26, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 12, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Oct 30, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 25, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 18, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Oct 30, 2025
A widespread heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding as a frontal system triggered thunderstorms across the area.
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 — 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 — Jun 25, 2023
A trough of low pressure over the area sparked slow moving thunderstorms with heavy rainfall over Northeast New jersey during the early afternoon of June 25th. A quick 1 to 2 inches of rainfall fell which resulted in very localized flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Dec 18, 2023
A warm front ahead of a developing coastal low pressure system positions itself over the area late on December 17th and into December 18th. As the low pressure intensified and approached, significant amounts of moisture focused along the warm front ahead of the coastal low resulting in widespread areas of heavy rainfall that occurred over a 12-18 hour period. PWATs were 1.5-1.7 inches which wer...
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 Passaic 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 Passaic 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.