Photo: Smallbones · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Berlin faces less hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berlin gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #3 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2005.
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 Berlin 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 Berlin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Berlin, and Berlin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 12% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #3 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Berlin’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Berlin has less expected damage per building than 100% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Berlin: $938K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Berlin flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Berlin, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Berlin 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Berlin
Disasters that paid out in Berlin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Berlin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Borough of Berlin for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$210K to the Borough of Berlin for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene55 households applied for aid$50K aid approved$18K to the Borough of Berlin for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the Borough of Berlin for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$30K to the Borough of Berlin for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding18 households applied for aid$16K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$113 to the Borough of Berlin for repairs
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 Berlin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Berlin archive →Berlin and its neighbors
Berlin is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin Township | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Berlin | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Winslow Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Pine Hill | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Waterford Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lindenwold | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| West Berlin | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Atco | — | 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 Berlin 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 Berlin
Is Berlin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Berlin has lower expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #3 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (12%). 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 Berlin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Berlin since 2005, $10K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Berlin 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 Berlin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Berlin’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 Berlin?
By FEMA money that reached Berlin, Severe Storm (2015): $210K to the Borough of Berlin for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Berlin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Berlin’s rate for it is lower than 91% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Berlin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Berlin’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.