Photo: Smallbones · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Bridgeton faces less hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #38 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 9 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 Bridgeton 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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Bridgeton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridgeton, and Bridgeton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A #38 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridgeton’s residents live in 8 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, Bridgeton has less expected damage per building than 92% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Bridgeton: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridgeton flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgeton, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $8K
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $10K
Bridgeton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cumberland County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgeton
Disasters that paid out in Bridgeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bridgeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy69 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$69K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$140K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene876 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$35K to the City of Bridgeton for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $8K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$2.5M to the City of Bridgeton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding67 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
Cumberland County has had 23 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 Bridgeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridgeton archive →Bridgeton and its neighbors
Bridgeton is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Deerfield Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hopewell Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bridgeton | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Fairfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1,845 |
| Sunset Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Gouldtown | — | 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 Bridgeton 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Bridgeton
Is Bridgeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeton has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #38 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridgeton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Bridgeton since 1980, $78K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Bridgeton 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 Cumberland County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bridgeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridgeton’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 Bridgeton?
By FEMA money that reached Bridgeton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $2.5M to the City of Bridgeton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $8K.
Is Bridgeton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Bridgeton’s rate for it is lower than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridgeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridgeton’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.