Hudson County, New Jersey Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NJ
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 97th
Hudson County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 97.2, 97th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $189M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Hudson County carries a high composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 97.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 97th 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 heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at High risk — $17M in expected annual loss and about 9.32 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at High risk — $128M in expected annual loss and about 3.04 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 5.41 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $189M in expected annual loss for a population of 723K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hudson County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Hudson County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 8 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 21 New Jersey counties, Hudson County ranks #4 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | High | 9.32 / yr | $17M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.04 / yr | $128M |
| Strong Wind | High | 5.41 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | High | 9.17 / yr | $485K |
| Coastal Flood | Very High | 3.76 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.49 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | High | 0.02 / yr | $5M |
| Lightning | Medium | 31.96 / yr | $450K |
| Hail | Medium | 1.90 / yr | $493K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $201K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.81 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $136 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Hudson County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Snowstorm (4), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| February 2011 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hudson County?
Hudson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 97.2 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 97th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hudson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (High, $17M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $128M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hudson County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Hudson County ranks #4 of 21 New Jersey counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hudson County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Hudson County since 1965, most often 8 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Hudson County's $189M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.