Flooding in River Vale, New Jersey: the flood zone, the record, and what to do
River Vale is named for the river that forms its eastern edge, and its southern edge is a brook. Between them sit most of the flood claims in this corner of Bergen County. Here is what FEMA, the National Weather Service and the county plan record.
FEMA counts 136 National Flood Insurance Program claims in River Vale Township and lists 23 properties as repetitive-loss properties, five of them severe. That is more than any of its Northern Valley neighbours, though far below Westwood (684 claims) and Hillsdale (399) upstream on the Pascack. The Bergen County Hazard Mitigation Plan puts 14.54 per cent of the township in FEMA's 1 per cent annual chance flood zone. The water comes from two directions: the Hackensack River below Lake Tappan on the east, and Pascack Brook along the southern border. Hurricane Irene and the April 2007 nor'easter account for more than a third of all claims.
The short version
- FEMA records 136 NFIP claims in River Vale and 23 repetitive-loss properties, five of them severe.
- The Bergen County Hazard Mitigation Plan puts 14.54 per cent of the township in the FEMA 1 per cent flood zone (16.68 per cent including the 0.2 per cent zone).
- The Rivervale gauge crested at 12.26 feet in Irene and 12.19 feet in April 2007; major flood stage is 8 feet.
- Hurricane Irene (29 claims) and the April 2007 nor'easter (22) together account for more than a third of claims.
- Only 37 active flood policies were in force in October 2024, according to the county plan.
Between a river and a brook
River Vale's eastern border is the Hackensack River, which was dammed to form Lake Tappan, a reservoir the township shares with Old Tappan. Its southern border is Pascack Brook, which runs down from Woodcliff Lake through Hillsdale and Westwood and now ends in the Oradell Reservoir. Musquapsink Brook joins the Pascack at the Westwood–River Vale line. FEMA's Bergen County flood study also models smaller streams in the township, including Rivervale Brook and Hillsdale Brook. The county plan gives River Vale 2,761.28 acres, 401.45 of them in the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, which is 14.54 per cent, or 16.68 per cent including the 0.2 per cent zone. Part of that is reservoir water: the US Census Bureau counts about a quarter of a square mile of water in the township.
The Rivervale gauge and its record
The US Geological Survey has measured the Hackensack at Rivervale since 1942, at a gauge FEMA places in the Township of River Vale, where the river drains 56.3 square miles. The National Weather Service sets action stage there at 4.5 feet, minor flood stage at 5.5, moderate at 6.5 and major at 8 feet. The two highest crests are almost level: 12.26 feet on 28 August 2011 in Hurricane Irene and 12.19 feet on 16 April 2007. Both are more than four feet above major flood stage, and New York's environmental department notes that both exceeded the 100-year flood at Rivervale. Next come 8.12 feet in March 2010 and 7.85 feet in May 1984. The Weather Service's impact statement for 12 feet describes record flooding along Westwood Avenue near Clauss Lane, water into basements and the street closed.
Pascack Brook on the southern side
The Pascack responds faster than the reservoir-regulated Hackensack. Its National Weather Service gauge at Westwood, just upstream of where the brook becomes River Vale's border, sets minor flood stage at 5 feet; the record crest is 11.4 feet on 16 September 1999, during Hurricane Floyd. FEMA records that the Floyd flood destroyed the gauge house, and that the peak flow was affected by an upstream dam failure. FEMA also notes that the lower Pascack floods when the Oradell Reservoir, into which it drains, is at a high stage, so a brook that is already high can be held back from below.
The claim record
FEMA's NFIP data list 136 claims in River Vale over the life of the programme. The worst year was 2011, with 36 claims, 29 of them attributed to Hurricane Irene. The April 2007 nor'easter caused 22, Hurricane Ida 14 and the March 2010 nor'easter 14. Those four events match the top crests at the Rivervale gauge closely, which suggests the river is behind much of the record. FEMA's multiple-loss data, as of 2 August 2026, list 23 repetitive-loss properties, five of them severe repetitive loss, meaning they have flooded repeatedly with large claims. By our arithmetic, roughly one claim in six has come from a repetitive-loss property. The county plan also notes that the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole on 1 October 2010 brought 4.65 inches of rain to Rivervale, the highest total in the county for that storm.
Insurance cover and the housing stock
The county plan counts 37 active flood policies in River Vale as of October 2024. Against 3,547 homes, the US Census Bureau's count, that is about one home in a hundred. The figure is worth noticing because the township's claim history is long and its flood zone is real. The median year built is 1971 and about 10 per cent of households rent. In its mitigation summary, River Vale reports that it has regraded and paved roads along evacuation routes so residents can travel during storms, and cleared debris, brush and limbs from roadways and waterways to prevent storm damage. The plan does not record buyouts or elevations in the township.
What this means if you own or rent here
Start with the FEMA Flood Map Service Center: if your house is near Lake Tappan, the Hackensack below it, Pascack Brook or one of the smaller brooks, see where the zone line falls. If you are in it, consider flood cover seriously even without a mortgage requirement; a new policy usually takes 30 days to start, so buy before the season, not before the storm. Watch the Rivervale gauge when heavy rain is forecast; minor flooding begins at 5.5 feet. If your property has flooded more than once, ask the township whether it is on FEMA's repetitive-loss list, which can matter for mitigation grants. Renters need their own contents policy. Whether any loss is covered is decided by your insurer and your policy.
Common questions
Does River Vale, NJ flood?
Yes, in parts. FEMA records 136 flood insurance claims, most from Hurricane Irene, the April 2007 nor'easter, Hurricane Ida and the March 2010 nor'easter. The flood zone follows the Hackensack River below Lake Tappan, Pascack Brook and smaller brooks.
Which gauge should River Vale residents watch?
The National Weather Service gauge on the Hackensack River at Rivervale (minor flood stage 5.5 feet), and for the southern side the Pascack Brook gauge at Westwood (minor flood stage 5 feet). Both have forecasts on the National Weather Service water site.
Does Lake Tappan control floods?
No. FEMA's flood study says Lake Tappan and the other Hackensack reservoirs are operated for water supply and are not designed or used for flood control, although their storage dampens most flood peaks.
Find out who to call
Answer a few questions about what happened. You get the safety steps and the right trade whether or not you leave contact details.
Two referral lines cover this area. We have not vetted an individual company, and we will not route you to one whose coverage and registration we have not checked.
A pipe, water heater, sump pump or drain
Something inside the building failed and the water needs stopping.
Storm water, flooding or a soaked building
Water came in from outside, or the structure is wet and needs drying.
Not sure which you have? Answer a few questions and we will tell you. These are referral lines: they connect you to a company in the network, not to one this site operates or has inspected.
We are a free matching service, not a restoration contractor. Calls and requests are connected to independent providers.