Kearny, New Jersey: natural disaster risk
How exposed Kearny is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Hudson County.
Kearny is a city of 40,614 people in Hudson County, New Jersey. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Hudson County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, heat wave and earthquake, with about $189 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 264 storm reports in the county since 1956, including 1 tornadoes and 136 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 7 hurricanes and 23 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center, 1 of them major. About 3.5% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Hudson County. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Kearny
Full Hudson County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $128M | |
| Heat wave | $17M | |
| Earthquake | $11M | |
| Coastal flooding | $8M | |
| Hurricane | $7M | |
| Cold wave | $7M | |
| Tornado | $5M | |
| Strong wind | $3M | |
| Hail | $493K | |
| Winter weather | $485K | |
| Lightning | $450K | |
| Ice storm | $201K |
Homes in Kearny
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Hudson County
More cities in Hudson County
Common questions about Kearny
Is Kearny safe from natural disasters?
Kearny is in Hudson County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, heat wave, earthquake. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Kearny?
By expected yearly losses in Hudson County, the top hazards are inland flooding (High), heat wave (High), earthquake (Moderate). Hudson County has been part of 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Kearny get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 1 tornadoes in Hudson County since 1950; the strongest was an F1 tornado on July 7, 1976. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Kearny?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Hudson County, about 3.5% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.