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Morris County, New Jersey
Recorded hazard history: storm events since 1950, federal disaster declarations since 1953, flood insurance claims since 1978, and FEMA's risk index.
NCEI notes that Storm Data is compiled from a variety of sources including the National Weather Service, other federal, state and local agencies, the media and the public; that property and crop damage figures are estimates; and that some events are recorded by NWS forecast zone rather than by county. FEMA notes that NFIP claim records are redacted and aggregated to protect the privacy of policyholders. NCEI storm records through 30 Jun 2026; OpenFEMA declarations refreshed 1 Oct 2026; NFIP claims as of 8 Sep 2026.
Between 1950 and 2026, NCEI recorded 1,332 storm events in Morris County, New Jersey, led by damaging wind.
That is 289.0 events per 100 square miles, in line with the New Jersey figure of 358.7, and 26.1 per 10,000 residents against 28.5 statewide.
43 events fall in the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026. NCEI attributes 11 deaths and 75 injuries to events in the county, with property damage estimated at $324M and crop damage at $10.
FEMA has designated the county in 33 federal disaster declarations since 1953; the most recent is Remnants Of Hurricane Ida (major disaster, 5 Sep 2021).
National Flood Insurance Program policyholders in the county filed 9,463 claims since 1978, of which 8,103 were paid, totalling $201M (about $25K per paid claim). FEMA counts 2,195 residential flood policies in force.
FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall risk as "Relatively Moderate" and its expected annual loss as "Relatively High" ($208M a year across 18 hazards).
42 tropical storm or hurricane tracks in the HURDAT2 record passed within 100 miles of the county's centre at tropical-storm strength or more, 1 of them within 50 miles at hurricane strength.
Compared with New Jersey and the United States
| Measure | Morris County | New Jersey | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded events since 1950 | 1,332 | 26,382 | 1,977,440 |
| Events per 100 square miles | 289.0 | 358.7 | 56.0 |
| Events per 10,000 residents | 26.1 | 28.5 | 59.6 |
| Events in the last 12 months | 43 | 776 | 62,008 |
| Deaths recorded by NCEI | 11 | 276 | 26,435 |
| Property damage (NCEI estimates) | $324M | $28B | $575B |
| NFIP claims per 1,000 residents | 18.5 | 21.8 | 8.1 |
| Average paid NFIP claim | $25K | $38K | $43K |
| Claims per 100 policies in force, last 10 years | 20.1 | 10.6 | 16.1 |
County-recorded events plus zone-recorded events whose forecast zone is named for the county. State and US rows include events recorded only by forecast zone. Rates use 2021 Census population and land area.
Events by decade
Trend: 823 events in the 20 years to 2025 against 463 in the 20 years before. Reporting practice changed in 1996 and again with automated reports in the 2000s, so decade totals measure the record as much as the weather.
Events by type
Hazard pages exist for hail, tornado, flood, wind and winter where the county has at least 10 recorded events. "Other" covers heavy rain, debris flow, dust, funnel clouds and similar reports.
Largest recorded events
| Date | Event type | Group | Magnitude | Property damage | Crop damage | Deaths | Injuries | Geography |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Oct 2012 | High Wind | Wind | 70 mph | $50K | — | 3 | 2 | Forecast zone |
| 28 Jan 2005 | Cold/Wind Chill | Cold | — | — | — | 2 | — | Forecast zone |
| 28 Aug 2011 | Flood | Flood | — | $200M | — | 1 | — | County |
| 18 Jun 2018 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 58 mph | — | — | 1 | 1 | County |
| 16 Oct 2005 | Strong Wind | Wind | 40 mph | $100K | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 27 Jan 1996 | Flood | Flood | — | — | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 16 Aug 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | — | — | 1 | — | County |
| 25 Jan 2004 | Cold/Wind Chill | Cold | — | — | — | 1 | — | Forecast zone |
| 13 Jul 1997 | Heat | Heat | — | — | — | — | 15 | Forecast zone |
| 28 May 1973 | Tornado | Tornado | F3 | $250K | — | — | 12 | County |
| 16 Sep 1999 | Flash Flood | Flood | — | $30M | — | — | 6 | County |
| 25 Jun 1998 | Heat | Heat | — | — | — | — | 4 | Forecast zone |
| 1 Feb 2011 | Winter Storm | Winter | — | $50K | — | — | 3 | Forecast zone |
| 26 Jul 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 60 mph | $25K | — | — | 3 | County |
| 18 Jul 1997 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | 3 | County |
| 15 Apr 2007 | Flood | Flood | — | $26M | — | — | — | County |
| 16 Sep 1999 | High Wind | Wind | 58 mph | $3.0M | — | — | 2 | Forecast zone |
| 21 Aug 2009 | Lightning | Lightning | — | $50K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 29 Apr 1951 | Tornado | Tornado | F1 | $25K | — | — | 2 | County |
| 7 Sep 1998 | Thunderstorm Wind | Wind | 66 mph | — | — | — | 2 | County |
Ranked by deaths, then injuries, then NCEI's damage estimate. Deaths and injuries are NCEI counts (direct plus indirect); no personal details are recorded here.
Federal disaster declarations
| Declared | Number | Type | Incident | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Sep 2021 | DR-4614 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 2 Sep 2021 | EM-3573 | Emergency | Hurricane | Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Public assistance |
| 28 Apr 2021 | DR-4597 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 11 Dec 2020 | DR-4574 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias | Public assistance |
| 25 Mar 2020 | DR-4488 | Major disaster | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 13 Mar 2020 | EM-3451 | Emergency | Biological | Covid-19 | Public assistance |
| 8 Jun 2018 | DR-4368 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 14 Mar 2016 | DR-4264 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 30 Oct 2012 | DR-4086 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 28 Oct 2012 | EM-3354 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy | Public assistance |
| 30 Nov 2011 | DR-4048 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Public assistance |
| 31 Aug 2011 | DR-4021 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 27 Aug 2011 | EM-3332 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene | Public assistance |
| 4 Feb 2011 | DR-1954 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Public assistance |
| 2 Apr 2010 | DR-1897 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 26 Apr 2007 | DR-1694 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Inland And Coastal Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 19 Sep 2005 | EM-3257 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Public assistance |
| 19 Apr 2005 | DR-1588 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 20 Mar 2003 | EM-3181 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Snow | Public assistance |
| 19 Sep 2001 | EM-3169 | Emergency | Fire | Fires And Explosions | Public assistance |
| 1 Nov 2000 | EM-3156 | Emergency | Other | West Nile Virus | Public assistance |
| 17 Aug 2000 | DR-1337 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding And Mudslides | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 18 Sep 1999 | DR-1295 | Major disaster | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 17 Sep 1999 | EM-3148 | Emergency | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations | Public assistance |
| 19 Nov 1996 | DR-1145 | Major disaster | Severe Storm | Severe Storms And Flooding | Individual assistance |
| 13 Jan 1996 | DR-1088 | Major disaster | Snowstorm | Blizzard Of 96 (Severe Snow Storm) | Public assistance |
| 17 Mar 1993 | EM-3106 | Emergency | Snowstorm | Severe Blizzard | Public assistance |
| 12 Apr 1984 | DR-701 | Major disaster | Flood | Coastal Storms & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 19 Oct 1980 | EM-3083 | Emergency | Drought | Water Shortage | Public assistance |
| 23 Jul 1975 | DR-477 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains, High Winds, Hail & Tornadoes | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 4 Sep 1971 | DR-310 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 18 Jun 1968 | DR-245 | Major disaster | Flood | Heavy Rains & Flooding | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
| 18 Aug 1965 | DR-205 | Major disaster | Drought | Water Shortage | Individual assistance, Public assistance |
Declarations in which FEMA designated this county, from the OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). DR: major disaster; EM: emergency; FM: fire management assistance. Programs show whether individual or public assistance was made available.
Flood insurance claims
| Year of loss | Claims | Paid claims | Amount paid | Average paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 2 | $5,025 | $2,512 |
| 2025 | 6 | 4 | $17,154 | $4,288 |
| 2024 | 63 | 54 | $768,899 | $14,239 |
| 2023 | 161 | 136 | $3,294,939 | $24,227 |
| 2022 | 5 | 2 | $4,621 | $2,310 |
| 2021 | 175 | 137 | $4,533,746 | $33,093 |
| 2020 | 12 | 8 | $65,004 | $8,125 |
| 2019 | 5 | 1 | $23,056 | $23,056 |
| 2018 | 9 | 1 | $7,350 | $7,350 |
| 2017 | 2 | 1 | $2,282 | $2,282 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | $0 | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 1 | $6,552 | $6,552 |
| 2014 | 10 | 6 | $21,504 | $3,584 |
| 2013 | 7 | 4 | $67,767 | $16,942 |
| 2012 | 52 | 16 | $1,265,146 | $79,072 |
| 2011 | 2,971 | 2,714 | $120,641,360 | $44,451 |
| 2010 | 875 | 804 | $21,018,800 | $26,143 |
| 2009 | 14 | 8 | $57,036 | $7,129 |
| 2008 | 22 | 17 | $107,157 | $6,303 |
| 2007 | 639 | 586 | $12,457,001 | $21,258 |
| 2006 | 16 | 12 | $137,237 | $11,436 |
| 2005 | 444 | 397 | $5,217,838 | $13,143 |
| 2004 | 5 | 4 | $69,809 | $17,452 |
| 2003 | 50 | 29 | $130,240 | $4,491 |
| 2002 | 4 | 1 | $175 | $175 |
OpenFEMA NFIP claims (v3, as of 8 Sep 2026), aggregated by year of loss; amounts are building, contents and increased-cost-of-compliance payments as recorded. Repetitive-loss counts from the NFIP Multiple Loss Properties file (2 Aug 2026); policies in force from the NFIP Residential Penetration Rates file (3 Aug 2026).
National Risk Index
| Hazard (NRI) | Risk rating | Expected annual loss |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $158,077,942 | |
| Cold wave | $14,949,633 | |
| Earthquake | $7,147,913 | |
| Tornado | $6,372,544 | |
| Hurricane | $6,302,095 | |
| Strong wind | $6,099,030 | |
| Heat wave | $4,633,579 | |
| Lightning | $2,024,266 | |
| Winter weather | $1,446,022 | |
| Drought | $690,906 | |
| Ice storm | $214,885 | |
| Hail | $127,944 | |
| Wildfire | $22,977 | |
| Landslide | $13,845 | |
| Avalanche | $33 |
FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025 release. Ratings are FEMA's relative comparison of counties; expected annual loss is FEMA's modelled estimate of average yearly building, population and agriculture loss. See how to read the NRI.
Hurricane and tropical storm passes
| Storm | Year | Closest approach | Max wind while within 100 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsa | 2021 | 85 mi | 58 mph |
| Ida | 2021 | 92 mi | 46 mph |
| Fay | 2020 | 47 mi | 40 mph |
| Isaias | 2020 | 29 mi | 63 mph |
| Andrea | 2013 | 83 mi | 46 mph |
| Sandy | 2012 | 94 mi | 81 mph |
| Irene | 2011 | 34 mi | 63 mph |
| Hanna | 2008 | 59 mi | 52 mph |
| Floyd | 1999 | 58 mi | 58 mph |
| Bertha | 1996 | 46 mi | 69 mph |
| Gloria | 1985 | 68 mi | 86 mph |
| Henri | 1985 | 90 mi | 40 mph |
| Belle | 1976 | 71 mi | 69 mph |
| Agnes | 1972 | 58 mi | 63 mph |
| Doria | 1971 | 50 mi | 52 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1968 | 68 mi | 63 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1961 | 71 mi | 63 mph |
| Brenda | 1960 | 46 mi | 58 mph |
| Donna | 1960 | 84 mi | 98 mph |
| Diane | 1955 | 25 mi | 46 mph |
| Able | 1952 | 24 mi | 58 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1944 | 97 mi | 104 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1938 | 87 mi | 121 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1934 | 46 mi | 46 mph |
| Unnamed Atlantic storm | 1934 | 80 mi | 75 mph |
HURDAT2 best-track positions at tropical-storm strength (34 kt) or more, measured from the county's Census centre point; through the 2025 season. Distance from a track is not the same as the extent of the storm's wind, rain or surge.
ZIP codes with flood claims
- 07035 3,380
- 07440 1,428
- 07834 879
- 07444 836
- 07801 674
- 07034 496
- 07980 159
- 07054 158
- 07866 130
- 07457 117
- 07936 112
- 07960 106
- 07853 100
- 07058 95
- 07981 76
- 07849 60
- 07836 60
- 07005 57
- 07045 41
- 07885 41
- 07405 35
- 07945 32
- 07928 31
- 07869 28
- 07950 27
- 07933 26
- 07850 22
- 07946 20
- 07438 16
- 07940 15
- 07930 11
- 07932 10
- 07926 9
- 07876 9
- 07976 9
- 07435 8
- 07935 7
- 07082 5
- 07046 5
ZIP codes whose NFIP claims carry this county's code, with the number of claims. Five or more claims are needed for a ZIP page to be indexed.
Questions and answers
How often does it hail in Morris County, NJ?
NCEI records 72 hail events in Morris County since 1950, in 29 different years; that is about 0.9 recorded events a year. 11 reports were golf-ball size (1.75 in) or larger.
Has Morris County had a tornado?
Yes. NCEI records 8 tornadoes in Morris County since 1950, 3 of them rated (E)F2 or stronger. Tornado deaths recorded: 0.
When was the last federal disaster declaration for Morris County?
5 Sep 2021: Remnants Of Hurricane Ida, a major disaster declaration for hurricane. The county appears in 33 declarations since 1953.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Morris County, and how much was paid?
9,463 NFIP claims since 1978, 8,103 of them paid, for $201M in total. FEMA publishes these figures redacted and aggregated; individual properties are not identified.
Is Morris County in the National Risk Index's high-risk band?
FEMA's National Risk Index (December 2025) rates the county "Relatively Moderate" for overall risk, "Relatively High" for expected annual loss, "Very Low" for social vulnerability and "Very High" for community resilience. These ratings are FEMA's relative comparison across all US counties.
How does Morris County compare with the rest of New Jersey?
289.0 recorded events per 100 square miles against 358.7 statewide, and 18.5 NFIP claims per 1,000 residents against 21.8. The comparison table on this page shows each measure beside the state and national figures.
Provenance
Storm events: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, yearly details files through 30 Jun 2026 (public domain). Declarations: OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2, refreshed 1 Oct 2026. Flood claims: OpenFEMA NfipClaims v3 as of 8 Sep 2026; NfipMultipleLossProperties v1 (2 Aug 2026); NfipResidentialPenetrationRates v1 (3 Aug 2026). Risk index: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Hurricane tracks: NHC HURDAT2 through 2025. Population and area: US Census Bureau, 2021 vintage. Built 1 Oct 2026; see the methodology and corrections pages. Hazard hubs: Hail · Tornado · Flood · Wind · Winter.