Photo: Milkbreath · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Bellmawr than in 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellmawr gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #132 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then earthquakes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 15 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 Bellmawr 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
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 Bellmawr’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellmawr, and Bellmawr’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #132 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellmawr’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, Bellmawr has less expected damage per building than 72% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Bellmawr: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellmawr flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellmawr, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $19K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $2K
Bellmawr 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellmawr
Disasters that paid out in Bellmawr itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Bellmawr), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $19K
- 2011Hurricane Irene72 households applied for aid$84K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding22 households applied for aid$24K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Bellmawr after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellmawr archive →Bellmawr and its neighbors
Bellmawr is 5th of the 8 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 |
| Barrington | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Deptford Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Runnemede | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bellmawr | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Mount Ephraim | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Westville | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 61 |
| Brooklawn | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
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 Bellmawr 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.
- 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 Bellmawr
Is Bellmawr at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellmawr has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #132 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellmawr flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Bellmawr since 1979, $81K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (2).
Is Bellmawr 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 Bellmawr?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellmawr’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 Bellmawr?
By FEMA money that reached Bellmawr, Hurricane Irene (2011): 72 households applied for aid, $84K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2 paid, $19K.
Is Bellmawr at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Bellmawr’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellmawr.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellmawr’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.