Bergen County, New Jersey Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NJ
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 98th
Bergen County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 97.8, 98th national percentile), driven primarily by coastal flood and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $322M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Bergen County at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 97.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 98th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Very High risk — $34M in expected annual loss and about 3.76 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $217M in expected annual loss and about 5.93 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 11.77 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $322M in expected annual loss for a population of 955K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bergen County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Bergen County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 21 New Jersey counties, Bergen County ranks #1 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Coastal Flood | Very High | 3.76 / yr | $34M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 5.93 / yr | $217M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 11.77 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 5.27 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | High | 9.11 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | High | 31.54 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $20M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.12 / yr | $14M |
| Tornado | High | 0.08 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.70 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $432K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $3K |
| Drought | Low | 1.99 / yr | $53K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.18 / yr | $80K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Bergen County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Storm (6), Flood (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| June 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| March 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| November 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bergen County?
Bergen County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 97.8 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 98th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bergen County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Coastal Flood (Very High, $34M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $217M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bergen County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Bergen County ranks #1 of 21 New Jersey counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bergen County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Bergen County since 1965, most often 10 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared in September 2021.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Bergen County's $322M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.