Paterson, NJ
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Paterson is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Passaic County, NJ. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, inland flooding, and lightning.
Storm events near Paterson
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Paterson's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Paterson itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Passaic County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Paterson along with the rest of the county, not a Paterson-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 16.1 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.8 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 25.4 | Very Low |
| Earthquake | 93.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 96.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 88.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | 14.8 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | 92.2 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 46.2 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 15.8 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 87.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 74.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 68.9 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 97.8 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 99 | Very High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 97.7 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Passaic County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Passaic County:
More on Passaic County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Paterson, NJ at risk of?
Paterson is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Passaic County, where Paterson is located, are strong wind, inland flooding, and lightning.
What is Paterson's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Passaic County, where Paterson is located, scoring 99 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Paterson a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Paterson carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Passaic County.
Has Paterson had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 6 tornado, 108 hail, 808 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Paterson since 2016.