New Jersey Flood & Fire Hazard Information
Research. Understand. Prepare.
Learn more about environmental risks before choosing a property.
New Jersey's diverse landscape includes coastal communities, rivers, streams, wooded neighborhoods, rural areas and densely developed communities. Depending on location, individual properties may have different levels of exposure to flooding, wildfire and other environmental hazards.
Use this page as a starting point for researching potential flood and wildfire risk before buying a home, evaluating a property or learning more about an area where you already live.
Start Your Property Hazard Research
No single map or risk score provides every answer. Compare multiple resources when researching a property and investigate conditions that are important to your particular housing decision.
Flood Risk
Rainfall, Rivers & Coastal Flooding
Research potential exposure from heavy rainfall, rivers, streams, coastal flooding, tides and storm surge.
Understand Flood Risk Check Flood Risk
Wildfire Risk
Vegetation, Terrain & Fire Conditions
Research modeled wildfire exposure based on vegetation, terrain, weather conditions, fire probability and potential ember exposure.
Understand Wildfire Risk Check Fire Risk
FEMA Flood Maps
Official Federal Flood Information
Search FEMA's official Flood Map Service Center for available flood-hazard maps and National Flood Insurance Program information.
Compare FEMA & First Street Search FEMA Maps
New Jersey Flood Information
State Environmental Resources
Explore New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection resources covering flood hazards, climate-related flooding and environmental conditions.
View New Jersey Resources Explore NJ Flood Information
NJ Forest Fire Service
Wildfire Conditions & Preparedness
Review wildfire information, current conditions, prevention, restrictions and preparedness resources from New Jersey.
View New Jersey Resources Explore Wildfire Information
Insurance & Property Research
Look Beyond the Map
Consider flood insurance, property disclosures, drainage, inspections, previous water intrusion and other site-specific information before making a decision.
Review the Research StepsResearch a Property With First Street
First Street provides property-level climate risk information that can help homeowners and homebuyers better understand potential hazards associated with an individual address.
First Street — Property Climate Risk
Enter a New Jersey street address to explore available information about flood risk, wildfire risk and other modeled climate-related hazards. The site can also provide information about how modeled risk may change over time.
Explore Property Risk Resources
Jump directly to the area of property hazard research you want to learn more about.
Understanding Flood Risk
Flooding can occur well beyond New Jersey's immediate coastline. Rainfall, rivers, streams, elevation, drainage, tides and coastal storms can all contribute to potential property exposure.
Heavy Rainfall
Intense rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems and create localized flooding, including in locations that may not immediately appear to be near a major body of water.
Rivers & Streams
Properties located near rivers, streams and other waterways may be affected when water levels rise following significant rainfall or other weather events.
Coastal Flooding
Coastal communities may experience flooding associated with tides, storms, storm surge and other coastal conditions.
Elevation & Drainage
Elevation, grading, drainage improvements and the physical characteristics of an individual property may influence how water behaves during severe weather.
Understanding Wildfire Risk
New Jersey contains extensive forests, wooded residential areas and communities where vegetation, dry weather and other environmental conditions may contribute to wildfire exposure.
Vegetation
The amount and type of vegetation around a property can influence potential wildfire behavior and exposure.
Weather Conditions
Dry periods, wind and weather conditions can affect how easily fires begin and how quickly they may spread.
Terrain
Hills, slopes and surrounding landscape can influence wildfire movement and modeled property exposure.
Ember Exposure
Windborne embers can travel beyond the immediate fire perimeter, making surrounding vegetation and building conditions important parts of wildfire research.
Understanding First Street Risk Factors
First Street uses simplified risk scores to help visitors understand complex property-level environmental modeling.
Flood Factor
Flood Factor evaluates modeled flood exposure using information involving rainfall, rivers, streams, tides, coastal storm surge, elevation and other conditions.
Check Flood FactorFire Factor
Fire Factor provides information about modeled wildfire risk using factors involving vegetation, terrain, weather, fire probability and potential exposure.
Check Fire Factor1–3
Lower numerical scores generally represent lower modeled risk within the First Street risk-factor system.
4–5
Mid-range scores may warrant additional investigation of the property, surrounding area and available government resources.
6–7
Higher risk scores indicate greater modeled exposure and are an important reason to conduct further independent property research.
8–10
The highest scores represent greater modeled risk within the First Street system and should be carefully researched alongside official maps and property-specific information.
First Street & FEMA Serve Different Purposes
Property buyers should understand the difference between modeled property-risk information and official federal flood-hazard mapping.
Use Both Resources When Researching Flood Risk
First Street provides modeled property-level risk information. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center provides official flood-hazard information associated with the National Flood Insurance Program. A property may therefore warrant additional flood investigation even when different mapping systems appear to show different levels of risk.
New Jersey Flood & Wildfire Resources
Combine national property-risk information with New Jersey-specific environmental and wildfire resources.
First Street
Property Climate Risk
Search an individual property for available modeled information involving flood, wildfire and other climate-related risks.
Visit First Street
FEMA Map Service Center
Official Flood Hazard Maps
Search available FEMA flood maps and National Flood Insurance Program flood-hazard information by location.
Search FEMA
NJDEP Flood Indicator Tool
New Jersey Environmental Information
Explore New Jersey-specific flood information and state environmental resources.
Visit NJDEP
NJ Forest Fire Service
Wildfire Information
Review wildfire conditions, restrictions, prevention information and homeowner preparedness resources.
Visit NJ Wildfire Resources
All New Jersey Listings
Current Homes for Sale
Search current New Jersey homes after identifying communities and locations you would like to explore further.
Search Homes
New Jersey Home Value
Thinking About Selling?
If your move involves selling a current New Jersey property, request information about its potential value in today's market.
Find Your Home's ValueHow to Research a Property's Flood & Fire Risk
Use several independent sources and investigate the individual property instead of relying on a single online score or map.
Search the Property Address
Begin with First Street and review the available property-level flood, wildfire and climate-risk information.
Check FEMA Flood Mapping
Search FEMA's Flood Map Service Center for official flood-hazard information associated with the location.
Review New Jersey Resources
Use NJDEP and New Jersey Forest Fire Service information for additional state-specific research.
Investigate the Individual Property
Consider elevation, grading, drainage, nearby waterways, vegetation, sump pumps, drainage systems, previous water intrusion and other property-specific conditions.
Review Property Disclosures
Carefully review available seller disclosures and other property documents, and ask questions about previous flooding, water intrusion or known conditions.
Research Insurance
If environmental risk is a concern, investigate insurance availability, potential flood insurance requirements and coverage before completing your purchase.
Jersey Fun & Food, Courtney Orlando and Compass do not create, independently verify or guarantee flood, wildfire, environmental, climate-risk or insurance information supplied by First Street, FEMA, NJDEP, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service or other outside sources. Online maps and risk models are intended as research tools and may change over time. Actual conditions can vary from property to property. Buyers, sellers and property owners should independently investigate matters important to them and consult appropriate governmental, insurance, legal, inspection, environmental and other qualified professionals when necessary.
Questions to Consider Before Buying
Environmental research is only one part of evaluating a property. These questions can help identify areas that may deserve additional investigation.
Is the Property Near Water?
Look at nearby rivers, streams, drainage areas, wetlands, tidal waterways and coastal features that may affect the surrounding property.
Has the Property Flooded?
Review available disclosures and ask appropriate questions about previous flooding, water intrusion or storm-related conditions.
Is Flood Insurance Required?
Mortgage lenders may have insurance requirements depending on the property's location and applicable flood information.
Are There Drainage Improvements?
Look for sump pumps, French drains, grading improvements, retaining systems or other features designed to manage water.
Is the Property Heavily Wooded?
Consider nearby trees, brush, forested areas and vegetation when reviewing potential wildfire exposure.
What Do Multiple Sources Show?
Compare First Street, FEMA, New Jersey resources, property disclosures and other available information rather than depending on only one source.
Thinking About Buying or Moving in New Jersey?
Once you have researched the communities and property conditions that matter to you, the next step is seeing what homes are currently available.
Explore New Jersey Communities & Homes
Continue your research with Jersey Fun & Food's New Jersey guides, search available homes throughout the state, or connect with Courtney Orlando Group for help with your New Jersey move.
More New Jersey Research Resources
Combine property-hazard research with independent information about schools, neighborhoods, transportation, community statistics and available homes.
School Information
New Jersey School Research
Research New Jersey schools, districts and educational information when comparing communities.
Explore Schools
Neighborhood Information
Research New Jersey Communities
Compare towns, housing choices, local amenities, transportation and other community characteristics.
Explore Neighborhoods
NJ Transit
Trains & Buses
Research train and bus routes, schedules and transportation options throughout New Jersey.
Visit NJ Transit
City Data & Statistics
Community Information
Explore housing, demographic and community statistics for municipalities throughout New Jersey.
Explore City Data
All New Jersey Listings
Current Homes for Sale
Search available real estate throughout New Jersey once you have identified the locations you want to explore.
Search Homes
New Jersey Home Value
Thinking About Selling?
If your next move involves selling your current New Jersey home, request information about its potential value in today's market.
Find Your Home's Value