NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Franklin Lakes, NJ
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
42 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey since 1851, 6 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 43 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 1 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 6
- Tropical storms
- 36
- Tornadoes
- 43
- EF3 or stronger
- 1
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
10 deaths in all
What the records show for Franklin Lakes
The strongest storm to pass near Franklin Lakes was an unnamed storm in 1938, a Category 3 hurricane with 117 mph winds when its centre passed 68 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre came within 22 miles. The record near Franklin Lakes begins with an unnamed storm in 1861; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 53 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1890s, with 5 systems, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Of the 42 systems, 5 have come since 2000. Of the 455 New Jersey cities on this site, 64% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Franklin Lakes. The strongest of the 43 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F3 on May 28, 1973; its path came within 21 miles. The deadliest, an F1 on November 16, 1989, killed 9 people. Of the 43, 2 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 13 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 16. The most recent tornado was on August 19, 2021. Of the 455 New Jersey cities, 73% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Franklin Lakes. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 83 times since 1968, with stones up to 2.5 inches (tennis ball size). Franklin Lakes has more hail reports within 10 miles than 68% of the 455 New Jersey cities.
Compare Franklin Lakes's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Franklin Lakes
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 2 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | FayJul 11 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 7 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1999 | FloydSep 17 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 53 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 22 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | 71 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1955 | DianeAug 19 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1938 | Unnamed 1938 stormSep 21 | 68 mi | Category 3 (117 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 9 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 19 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 3 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 16 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1900 | Unnamed 1900 stormOct 14 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1897 | Unnamed 1897 stormSep 24 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 69 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 24 | 22 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 11 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 24 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 66 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 5 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1866 | Unnamed 1866 stormOct 30 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 1 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Franklin Lakes: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Franklin Lakes
By decade
- 2020s2
- 2010s9
- 2000s2
- 1990s8
- 1980s9
- 1970s10(1 EF3+)
- 1960s1
- 1950s2
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 1973 | F3 | 21 mi | 0.4 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | F2 | 18 mi | 10.1 mi | 0 / 6 |
| Jul 15, 1970 | F2 | 16 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 7, 1962 | F2 | 9 mi | 2.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 6, 1956 | F2 | 6 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 16, 1989 | F1 | 21 mi | 9.1 mi | 9 / 18 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | EF1 | 19 mi | 4.87 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF1 | 25 mi | 4.28 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF1 | 18 mi | 2.12 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 7, 2013 | EF1 | 8 mi | 1.25 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 29, 2011 | EF1 | 25 mi | 4.67 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 25, 2010 | EF1 | 17 mi | 0.87 mi | 0 / 7 |
The strongest 12 of 43, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Franklin Lakes
The Storm Prediction Center has 83 hail reports within 10 miles of Franklin Lakes since 1968, made on 39 separate days. Of these, 39 were 1 inch across or larger, and 3 reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.5 inches (tennis ball size), fell on July 8, 2021. The most recent report is from September 8, 2023. July has the most reports, 34.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Franklin Lakes
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Wanaque Raymond Dam, NJ, 5 miles northwest of Franklin Lakes at 245 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 84°F and low of 64°F; January is the coolest, at 38°F and 20°F. June is the wettest at 5.1 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.7 inches; the year adds up to 48.5 inches over 79 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 55% of the year's precipitation (26.6 of 48.5 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 42 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (18); a normal September there has highs of 76°F and 4.0 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 14 days a year, almost all from May to August. Lows fall below freezing on about 121 nights a year. That 48.5 inches is more than at 26 of the 51 New Jersey stations used on this site (51%). Hawthorne, 5 miles southeast, has its own station (Caldwell Essex Co Airport, NJ): 44.9 inches a year, 3.6 less than here, and a July average high of 85°F against 84°F.
Water temperature at the NOAA tide station The Battery, NY, 24 miles southeast, averaged 74°F in August and 39°F in February over 2021–2025. No month averaged 80°F. Sea level at the The Battery tide gauge, 24 miles from Franklin Lakes, has risen 1.16 ± 0.02 inches per decade from 1856 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 11.6 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 66 of the 144 U.S. gauges with a NOAA trend.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Water °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38 | 20 | 3.4 | 6 | 41 |
| Feb | 41 | 20 | 2.7 | 6 | 39 |
| Mar | 48 | 29 | 3.9 | 7 | 42 |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 4.2 | 7 | 49 |
| May | 71 | 50 | 3.6 | 8 | 58 |
| Jun | 79 | 58 | 5.1 | 8 | 66 |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 4.7 | 7 | 73 |
| Aug | 83 | 63 | 4.6 | 6 | 74 |
| Sep | 76 | 56 | 4.0 | 6 | 72 |
| Oct | 64 | 43 | 4.4 | 6 | 65 |
| Nov | 53 | 35 | 3.8 | 6 | 56 |
| Dec | 43 | 27 | 4.1 | 7 | 46 |
| Year | 62 | 42 | 48.5 | 79 | 57 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Wanaque Raymond Dam, NJ (245 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals; water temperature: average of hourly readings 2021–2025 at the NOAA tide station The Battery, NY, from NOAA Tides & Currents. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Franklin Lakes
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 633 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Franklin Lakes: 294 thunderstorm wind reports, 218 flash floods, 88 floods, 29 lightning strikes and 4 heavy rain events. They killed 7 people and injured 13, and the NWS estimated $78.8 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 110 mph, on October 7, 2013. July has had the most flash floods, 72 of 218. Of the 455 New Jersey cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 345 have had fewer than Franklin Lakes.
April 15, 2007: flood 10 miles from the centre of Franklin Lakes — 1 killed, $4.0 million damage.
May 15, 2018: thunderstorm wind 10 miles from the centre of Franklin Lakes — 1 killed, $5,000 damage.
July 18, 1997: thunderstorm wind 7 miles from the centre of Franklin Lakes — 1 killed.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Flood insurance policyholders in Franklin Lakes's ZIP code 07417 have filed 28 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1978, and were paid $160,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. 61% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 395 New Jersey cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 81 have fewer than Franklin Lakes.
Bergen County, which includes Franklin Lakes, has been named in 32 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1965, 20 of them major disasters (by incident: 10 hurricanes, 6 severe storms, 5 floods, 4 snowstorms). The latest major disaster declaration was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, on September 5, 2021. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Bergen County a Relatively High rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Very High for coastal flooding and strong wind; Relatively High for tornadoes, inland flooding, lightning and heat waves; Relatively Moderate for hurricanes; Very Low for hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $321.8 million a year, the highest of 21 New Jersey counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $216.8 million (67%), is from inland flooding.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.