Photo: Ddogas · Public domainBethlehem Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethlehem Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #145 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1989.
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 Bethlehem 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
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 Bethlehem Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bethlehem Township, and Bethlehem Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #145 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bethlehem Township’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, Bethlehem Township has less expected damage per building than 69% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Bethlehem Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bethlehem Township flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bethlehem Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $38K
Bethlehem Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hunterdon County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bethlehem Township
Disasters that paid out in Bethlehem Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bethlehem Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$41K to Bethlehem Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$42K to Bethlehem Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$49K to Bethlehem Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$35K to Bethlehem Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$16K to Bethlehem Township for repairs
Hunterdon County has had 18 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 Bethlehem Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bethlehem Township archive →Bethlehem Township and its neighbors
Bethlehem Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 441 |
| Bethlehem Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Franklin Township | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Lebanon Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Holland Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Alexandria Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Hampton | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Glen Gardner | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Asbury | — | 241 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bloomsbury | — | 841 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Washington Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Bethlehem 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bethlehem Township
Is Bethlehem Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethlehem Township has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #145 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and strong wind (9%). 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 Bethlehem Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Bethlehem Township since 1989, $58K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Bethlehem 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 Hunterdon County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bethlehem Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bethlehem Township’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 Bethlehem Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bethlehem Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $49K to Bethlehem Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $38K.
Is Bethlehem Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Bethlehem Township’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bethlehem Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bethlehem 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.