Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bedminster Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedminster Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #259 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 1980.
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 Bedminster Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bedminster Township 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
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 Bedminster Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bedminster Township, and Bedminster Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #259 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bedminster Township’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, Bedminster Township has more expected damage per building than 55% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Bedminster Township: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bedminster Township flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bedminster Township, from FEMA’s records: 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida10 claims · $979K
- Hurricane Floyd9 claims · $164K
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $156K
Bedminster Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bedminster Township
Disasters that paid out in Bedminster Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bedminster Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida42 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$160K to Bedminster Township for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $979K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to Bedminster Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy84 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$119K to Bedminster Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene22 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$23K to Bedminster Township for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $156K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to Bedminster Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$62K to Bedminster Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$26K to Bedminster Township for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $164K
Somerset County has had 22 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 Bedminster Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bedminster Township archive →Bedminster Township and its neighbors
Bedminster Township is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tewksbury Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Bridgewater Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Bedminster Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Branchburg Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 185 |
| Readington Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Peapack and Gladstone | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Bridgewater Center | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Lamington | — | 362 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Pluckemin | — | 489 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Green Knoll | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Far Hills | — | 948 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Bedminster Township 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.
- 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.
- Bedminster Township 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 Bedminster Township
Is Bedminster Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bedminster Township has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #259 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bedminster Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Bedminster Township since 1980, $1.4M in all, or 8.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (10).
Is Bedminster Township 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 Somerset County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bedminster Township?
Bedminster Township 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 Bedminster Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bedminster Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 42 households applied for aid, $92K approved, and $160K to Bedminster Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 10 paid, $979K.
Is Bedminster Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Bedminster Township’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bedminster Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bedminster Township’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.