Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Bordentown’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bordentown gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #336 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Bordentown 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 Bordentown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bordentown, and Bordentown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #336 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bordentown’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, Bordentown has more expected damage per building than 72% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Bordentown: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bordentown flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bordentown, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $7K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $12K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $6K
Bordentown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burlington County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bordentown
Disasters that paid out in Bordentown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bordentown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Bordentown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy66 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$33K to the City of Bordentown for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2011Hurricane Irene102 households applied for aid$192K aid approved$4K to the City of Bordentown for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Bordentown for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the City of Bordentown for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$10K to the City of Bordentown for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding25 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$7K to the City of Bordentown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Burlington County has had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burlington County, 2007–2007.
Old photos of Bordentown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bordentown archive →Bordentown and its neighbors
Bordentown is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 247 |
| Bordentown Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Bordentown | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Bordentown 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 Bordentown
Is Bordentown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bordentown has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #336 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and earthquakes (6%). 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 Bordentown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Bordentown since 2005, $32K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Bordentown 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 Burlington County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bordentown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bordentown’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 Bordentown?
By FEMA money that reached Bordentown, Hurricane Irene (2011): 102 households applied for aid, $192K approved, and $4K to the City of Bordentown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Bordentown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Bordentown’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bordentown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bordentown’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.