Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Califon’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Califon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1979.
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 Califon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Califon 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 Califon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Califon, and Califon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Califon’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $520K a year in losses across Califon: $439K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Califon flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Califon, from FEMA’s records: 86.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene9 claims · $199K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $59K
Califon 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Califon
Disasters that paid out in Califon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Califon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida20 households applied for aid$11K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $59K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy124 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$42K to the Borough of Califon for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$12K to the Borough of Califon for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene57 households applied for aid$143K aid approved$29K to the Borough of Califon for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $199K
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the Borough of Califon for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $19K
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 Califon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Califon archive →Califon and its neighbors
Califon is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tewksbury Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Califon | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Lebanon Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
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 Califon 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 Califon
Is Califon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Califon has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and strong wind (7%). 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 Califon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Califon since 1979, $534K in all, or 86.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (9).
Is Califon 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 Califon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Califon’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 Califon?
By FEMA money that reached Califon, Hurricane Irene (2011): 57 households applied for aid, $143K approved, and $29K to the Borough of Califon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 9 paid, $199K.
Is Califon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Califon’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Califon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Califon’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.