NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Wanaque, 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
39 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Wanaque, New Jersey since 1851, 5 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 40 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 2 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 5
- Tropical storms
- 34
- Tornadoes
- 40
- EF3 or stronger
- 2
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
10 deaths in all
What the records show for Wanaque
The strongest storm to pass near Wanaque was an unnamed storm in 1938, a Category 3 hurricane with 117 mph winds when its centre passed 72 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre came within 26 miles. The record near Wanaque begins with an unnamed storm in 1861; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 57 miles away. The 1870s and the 1890s were the busiest decades, with 4 systems each. Of the 39 systems, 5 have come since 2000. Of the 455 New Jersey cities on this site, 81% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Wanaque. The highest rating among the 40 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3, reached 2 times; the most recent, on July 14, 1988, came within 22 miles. The deadliest, an F1 on November 16, 1989, killed 9 people. Of the 40, 3 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, 77% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Wanaque. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 52 times since 1968, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 455 New Jersey cities, 60% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Wanaque.
Compare Wanaque's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Wanaque
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 2 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | FayJul 11 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 7 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1999 | FloydSep 17 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 58 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 22 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1955 | DianeAug 19 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1938 | Unnamed 1938 stormSep 21 | 72 mi | Category 3 (117 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 9 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 19 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 3 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 16 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1900 | Unnamed 1900 stormOct 14 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 74 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 24 | 26 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 11 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 24 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 62 mi | Category 1 (78 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 5 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1866 | Unnamed 1866 stormOct 30 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 39 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 Wanaque: 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 Wanaque
By decade
- 2020s2
- 2010s7
- 2000s4
- 1990s6
- 1980s9(1 EF3+)
- 1970s9(1 EF3+)
- 1960s1
- 1950s2
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 14, 1988 | F3 | 22 mi | 7.2 mi | 0 / 1 |
| May 28, 1973 | F3 | 21 mi | 0.4 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 23 mi | 6.56 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | F2 | 22 mi | 10.1 mi | 0 / 6 |
| Jul 15, 1970 | F2 | 21 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 7, 1962 | F2 | 14 mi | 2.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 6, 1956 | F2 | 10 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 16, 1989 | F1 | 19 mi | 9.1 mi | 9 / 18 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | EF1 | 21 mi | 4.87 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF1 | 23 mi | 1.25 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF1 | 18 mi | 2.12 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 7, 2013 | EF1 | 13 mi | 1.25 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 40, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Wanaque
The Storm Prediction Center has 52 hail reports within 10 miles of Wanaque since 1968, made on 28 separate days. Of these, 24 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 5 days, most recently July 22, 2019. The most recent report is from September 8, 2023. July has the most reports, 18.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Wanaque
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Wanaque Raymond Dam, NJ, in Wanaque 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 39 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (16); 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%). Kinnelon, 6 miles southwest, has its own station (Charlotteburg Rsvr, NJ): 52.3 inches a year, 3.8 more than here, and a July average high of 83°F against 84°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38 | 20 | 3.4 | 6 |
| Feb | 41 | 20 | 2.7 | 6 |
| Mar | 48 | 29 | 3.9 | 7 |
| Apr | 60 | 39 | 4.2 | 7 |
| May | 71 | 50 | 3.6 | 8 |
| Jun | 79 | 58 | 5.1 | 8 |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 4.7 | 7 |
| Aug | 83 | 63 | 4.6 | 6 |
| Sep | 76 | 56 | 4.0 | 6 |
| Oct | 64 | 43 | 4.4 | 6 |
| Nov | 53 | 35 | 3.8 | 6 |
| Dec | 43 | 27 | 4.1 | 7 |
| Year | 62 | 42 | 48.5 | 79 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Wanaque Raymond Dam, NJ (245 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. 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 Wanaque
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 390 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Wanaque: 210 thunderstorm wind reports, 100 flash floods, 57 floods, 19 lightning strikes and 4 heavy rain events. They killed 4 people and injured 5, and the NWS estimated $19.6 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 90 mph, on October 7, 2013. July has had the most flash floods, 42 of 100. Of the 455 New Jersey cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 248 have had fewer than Wanaque.
July 18, 1997: thunderstorm wind 8 miles from the centre of Wanaque — 1 killed.
September 8, 2007: lightning strike 8 miles from the centre of Wanaque — 1 killed.
August 28, 2011: heavy rain event in Wanaque — 1 killed.
NWS: “A 39-year-old male drowned while walking through a wooded path that connects Warren Hagstrom Blvd. to an athletic field in Wanaque when he fell into a sinkhole and was swept away into a nearby stream.”
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 Wanaque's ZIP code 07465 have filed 26 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1979, and were paid $380,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. 77% 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, 74 have fewer than Wanaque.
Passaic County, which includes Wanaque, has been named in 30 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1965, 18 of them major disasters (by incident: 9 hurricanes, 6 severe storms, 4 floods, 4 snowstorms). The latest major disaster declaration was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, on September 5, 2021. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Passaic County a Relatively High rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Very High for strong wind and lightning; Relatively High for inland flooding; Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, tornadoes and heat waves; Very Low for hail and coastal flooding. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $148.8 million a year, the 12th highest of 21 New Jersey counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $111.0 million (75%), 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.