Natural Disaster Risk in Maplewood

Natural Hazard Profile: Maplewood, New Jersey

Maplewood is a city of approximately 25,613 residents in Essex County, along the northeastern Atlantic Seaboard. The area experiences warm summers, cold winters, and significant coastal storm exposure, with nor'easters, coastal flooding, and tropical storm threats shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Maplewood.

FEMA rates Maplewood's composite natural disaster risk at 7.6 out of 10 — high risk. The threat of extreme heat dominates the local risk profile, with the area experiencing heat waves that drive heat-related illness and place significant demand on energy infrastructure. Residents should also account for wind and winter risk in their preparedness planning.

Maplewood's risk score, near the 7.4/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Essex County, the highest-scoring are heat, wind, and winter. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Maplewood residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for heat and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.