Atlantic City Convention Hall · Photo: Jack Boucher · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Atlantic City faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atlantic City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #423 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 5,161 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 Atlantic City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Atlantic City 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
Coastal flooding
Strong wind
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 Atlantic City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Atlantic City, and Atlantic City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #423 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Atlantic City’s residents live in 14 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, Atlantic City has more expected damage per building than 90% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.3M a year in losses across Atlantic City: $18.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Atlantic City flood? Yes: 5,161 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atlantic City, from FEMA’s records: 259.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy2,745 claims · $102M
- The December Storm - nor’easter881 claims · $8.5M
- Hurricane Gloria289 claims · $1.6M
Atlantic City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Atlantic City
Disasters that paid out in Atlantic City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Atlantic City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$76K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$167K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs61 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy9,424 households applied for aid$21.8M aid approved$16.3M to the City of Atlantic City for repairs2,745 flood claims paid for it, $102M
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$91K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene692 households applied for aid$128K aid approved$485K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $128K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$88K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding62 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$60K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$116K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$72K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$210K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$2K to the City of Atlantic City for repairs
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 Atlantic City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atlantic City archive →Atlantic City and its neighbors
Atlantic City is 5th of the 7 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 |
| Brigantine | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3,546 |
| Ventnor City | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3,403 |
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 Atlantic City 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Atlantic City residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Atlantic City
Is Atlantic City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atlantic City has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #423 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Atlantic City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5,161 claims in Atlantic City since 1978, $122M in all, or 259.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 300 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (2,745).
Is Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City?
Atlantic City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Atlantic City?
By FEMA money that reached Atlantic City, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 9,424 households applied for aid, $21.8M approved, and $16.3M to the City of Atlantic City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2,745 paid, $102M.
Is Atlantic City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Atlantic City’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atlantic City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atlantic City’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.