Photo: Dough4872 · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Brigantine than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brigantine gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #426 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then coastal flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 3,546 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Brigantine’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brigantine 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
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
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 Brigantine’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brigantine, and Brigantine’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #426 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brigantine’s residents live in 4 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, Brigantine has more expected damage per building than 91% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.3M a year in losses across Brigantine: $7.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brigantine flood? Yes: 3,546 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brigantine, from FEMA’s records: 372.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy2,310 claims · $91.4M
- The December Storm - nor’easter609 claims · $5.5M
- Hurricane Gloria157 claims · $540K
Brigantine is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brigantine
Disasters that paid out in Brigantine itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brigantine), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the City of Brigantine for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy2,687 households applied for aid$5.2M aid approved$2.0M to the City of Brigantine for repairs2,310 flood claims paid for it, $91.4M
- 2011Hurricane Irene137 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$76K to the City of Brigantine for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$65K to the City of Brigantine for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding33 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$2K to the City of Brigantine for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$89K to the City of Brigantine for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$34K to the City of Brigantine for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$23K to the City of Brigantine for repairs
Atlantic County has had 28 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 Brigantine after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brigantine archive →Brigantine and its neighbors
Brigantine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galloway Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Atlantic City | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5,161 |
| Brigantine | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 3,546 |
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 Brigantine 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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.
- Brigantine residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Brigantine
Is Brigantine at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brigantine has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #426 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and coastal flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brigantine flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,546 claims in Brigantine since 1978, $99.6M in all, or 372.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 111 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (2,310).
Is Brigantine 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 Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brigantine?
Brigantine is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Brigantine?
By FEMA money that reached Brigantine, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 2,687 households applied for aid, $5.2M approved, and $2.0M to the City of Brigantine for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2,310 paid, $91.4M.
Is Brigantine at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Brigantine’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brigantine.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brigantine’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.