Enter any address in Union County, New Jersey to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the dominant flood character in Union County, NJ. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data indicates 140 flash flood events, resulting in 7 fatalities. For example, on July 14, 2025, heavy rainfall totaling 4 to 6.5 inches was reported across the area, with rainfall rates between 1 to 2 inches per hour. Other flood types, including general floods, tropical storms, and coastal floods, have also occurred.
NFIP claims data shows that properties designated as Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $23,412 and an average water depth of 4.4 feet. Zone X areas also show a significant number of claims, with Zone X having an average payout of $22,064 and an average water depth of 4.1 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED and Zone X_SHADED have also filed claims, with lower average payouts and water depths.
Homeowners in Union County should pay close attention to their flood risk, particularly those in Zone A areas, properties located near waterways, and any homes without a defined Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
64 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Union County, New Jersey has recorded 189 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 140 flash floods and 45 river or area floods. The county has received 30 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 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| 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 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Mar 12, 2010 |
| Severe Storms And Inland And Coastal Flooding | Severe Storm | Apr 14, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 17, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 14, 2025 | 0.00K (2 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Aug 13, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 18, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 4, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 28, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 25, 2022 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 17, 2025
Thunderstorms produced Flash Flooding across the area. Rainfall rates between 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches in one hour.
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 13, 2025
Thunderstorm moved across northeast New Jersey resulting in a water rescue across Hudson County, cars stuck in flood waters across Essex County and Road closures across Union County.
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...
Coastal Flood — Jan 13, 2024
Strong low pressure shifted northeast through the eastern Great Lakes on January 13, 2024, sending a warm front through during the morning hours, followed quickly by a cold front. Strong winds produced by this system, combined with peaking high astronomical tides associated with a recent new moon, produced widespread moderate coastal flooding along the tidal waterways of Northeast New Jersey.
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 Union 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 Union 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.