Photo: Dough4872 · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Audubon than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Audubon gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #4 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Audubon 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
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
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 Audubon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Audubon, and Audubon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #4 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Audubon’s residents live in 3 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, Audubon has less expected damage per building than 99% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Audubon: $816K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Audubon flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Audubon, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Audubon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Camden County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Audubon
Disasters that paid out in Audubon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Audubon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the Borough of Audubon for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy10 households applied for aid$681 aid approved$28K to the Borough of Audubon for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene16 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$6K to the Borough of Audubon for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to the Borough of Audubon for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$15K to the Borough of Audubon for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding7 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Camden County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Audubon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Audubon archive →Audubon and its neighbors
Audubon is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haddon Heights | A+less damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Audubon | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Audubon Park | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Haddonfield | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Oaklyn | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Haddon Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Mount Ephraim | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Westmont | — | 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 Audubon 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Audubon
Is Audubon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Audubon has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #4 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and earthquakes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Audubon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Audubon since 1978, $9K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Audubon 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 Camden County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Audubon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Audubon’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Audubon?
By FEMA money that reached Audubon, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 10 households applied for aid, $681 approved, and $28K to the Borough of Audubon for repairs.
Is Audubon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Audubon’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Audubon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Audubon’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.