Photo: LaetusStudiis · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Absecon’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Absecon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #248 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 148 claims here since 1978.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Absecon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Absecon faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Strong wind
Coastal flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Absecon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Absecon, and Absecon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #248 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Absecon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Absecon has more expected damage per building than 53% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Absecon: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Absecon flood? Yes: 148 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Absecon, from FEMA’s records: 40.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy35 claims · $1.6M
- The December Storm - nor’easter12 claims · $199K
- Hurricane Gloria10 claims · $130K
Absecon is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Absecon
Disasters that paid out in Absecon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Absecon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene$2.1M to the City of Absecon for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$11K to the City of Absecon for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Irma$21K to the City of Absecon for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy259 households applied for aid$192K aid approved$60K to the City of Absecon for repairs35 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$68K to the City of Absecon for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene105 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$16K to the City of Absecon for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $680
Show all 13
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the City of Absecon for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$3K to the City of Absecon for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the City of Absecon for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$3K to the City of Absecon for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$4K to the City of Absecon for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$30K to the City of Absecon for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$14K to the City of Absecon for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Atlantic County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Absecon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Absecon archive →Absecon and its neighbors
Absecon is 2nd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Absecon | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| Galloway Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Pleasantville | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 208 |
| Atlantic City | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5,161 |
| Absecon Highlands | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Absecon faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Absecon residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Absecon
Is Absecon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Absecon has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #248 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Absecon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 148 claims in Absecon since 1978, $4.9M in all, or 40.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (35).
Is Absecon in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Absecon?
Absecon is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Absecon?
By FEMA money that reached Absecon, Hurricane Helene (2024): $2.1M to the City of Absecon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 35 paid, $1.6M.
Is Absecon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Absecon’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Absecon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Absecon’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.