Photo: Smallbones · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Avalon than in 91% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avalon gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then coastal flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 1,759 claims here since 1979.
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 Avalon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Avalon 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
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
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 Avalon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Avalon, and Avalon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 32%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Avalon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.4M a year in losses across Avalon: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Avalon flood? Yes: 1,759 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Avalon, from FEMA’s records: 322.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy718 claims · $16.2M
- Hurricane Gloria167 claims · $1.0M
- The December Storm - nor’easter135 claims · $1.7M
Avalon is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Avalon
Disasters that paid out in Avalon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Avalon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3.8M to the Borough of Avalon for repairs61 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy201 households applied for aid$116K aid approved$1.3M to the Borough of Avalon for repairs718 flood claims paid for it, $16.2M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$42K to the Borough of Avalon for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$426K to the Borough of Avalon for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$205K to the Borough of Avalon for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$129K to the Borough of Avalon for repairs36 flood claims paid that year
Cape May County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 Avalon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Avalon archive →Avalon and its neighbors
Avalon is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 738 |
| Avalon | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1,759 |
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 Avalon 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Avalon residents get 35% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Avalon
Is Avalon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Avalon has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and coastal flooding (32%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Avalon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,759 claims in Avalon since 1979, $27.1M in all, or 322.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 125 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (718).
Is Avalon 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 Cape May County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 40.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Avalon?
Avalon is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3), which takes 35% 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 Avalon?
By FEMA money that reached Avalon, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $3.8M to the Borough of Avalon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 718 paid, $16.2M.
Is Avalon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Avalon’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Avalon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Avalon’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.