Key facts: Paterson
- Paterson grew around the Great Falls of the Passaic, and the river still floods neighborhoods along its banks during big storms.[1]
- When the Passaic rises, low streets can stay flooded for days.
- Move what you can upstairs early, and shut off power to the basement only if it's safe.
River neighborhoods
When the Passaic rises, low streets can stay flooded for days. Move what you can upstairs early, and shut off power to the basement only if it's safe.
Older multi-family buildings
Two- and three-family homes share pipes and basements. Tenants should tell owners early, and everyone should photograph their own space.
Flood claims recorded in Passaic County
Paterson sits in Passaic County. FEMA publishes every National Flood Insurance Program claim with personal details removed, which gives a plain record of where water has reached insured buildings here.
| Measure | Count |
|---|---|
| Flood insurance claims on record | 14,385 |
| Year with the most claims | 2011 (4,042) |
| Largest named event | Hurricane Irene (2,440) |
| Claims outside high-risk A and V zones | 8% |
| Claims on buildings built before 1975 | 96% |
County-wide counts of insured claims only. Uninsured losses, burst pipes and appliance leaks are not in this data.
What the Paterson claim record shows
For Paterson homes, the local precedents are the events behind the most Passaic County claims: Hurricane Irene (2,440 claims), Flooding (1,964 claims) and March 2010 Nor'Easter (1,403 claims).
Around Paterson, about 92% of county claims with a recorded zone came from the high-risk A and V zones, so checking your address on the FEMA flood map tells you a lot here.
If your Paterson home is older, note that buildings from before 1975 make up 96% of county claims with a known build date. Many predate current flood maps, so inspect low outlets, ductwork and subfloors closely after any water event.
Federal disaster history for Passaic County
FEMA lists 30 federal declarations covering Passaic County. The most common types are hurricane (9), severe storm (6) and snowstorm (4). The latest are Remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021, Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020 and Covid-19 in 2020. When a declaration is open, federal aid may be available to Paterson residents, so ask about it alongside your insurance claim.
Paterson weather and your home
Weather records for Paterson from 2015 through 2024 average 50 inches of precipitation a year, and July and September are the wettest months. The area averages 10.2 days a year with an inch or more.
Paterson falls to 20°F or below on about 21 nights a year, which puts pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces and garages at risk.
When rain falls in Paterson
Seasonal averages for Paterson, 2015 through 2024. Plan roof, gutter and sump pump checks before the wettest stretch.
| Season | Average | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | 11.6 in | 23% |
| April to June | 12.3 in | 25% |
| July to September | 14.1 in | 28% |
| October to December | 12.3 in | 24% |
Modeled from Open-Meteo historical weather data. Precipitation includes rain and melted snow.
Paterson home checklist from these records
- Don't rely on recent quiet years. Only 7% of Passaic County claims date from 2015 or later, so older floods still show what can happen.
- Insulate exposed pipes before 21-plus hard-freeze nights arrive, and know your main shutoff.
- Test any sump pump before July, since Paterson averages 10 days a year with an inch or more.
- Keep dated photos of each room. After Hurricane Irene, 2,440 insured Passaic County owners filed claims at about the same time.
What to tell the Paterson contractor
- Distance to the river
- Your floor
- Whether the owner knows
Services Paterson callers ask about
Questions
Paterson water damage questions
Who pays when a basement floods in a rental?
The owner usually handles the building, and renters insurance covers belongings if you have it.
Is river water dangerous?
Yes, treat it as contaminated.