Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Camden faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #309 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 321 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 Camden’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Camden 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 Camden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Camden, and Camden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #309 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Camden’s residents live in 19 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, Camden has more expected damage per building than 66% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.7M a year in losses across Camden: $17.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Camden flood? Yes: 321 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Camden, from FEMA’s records: 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene27 claims · $79K
- The April 2007 nor’easter14 claims · $52K
- The Mid-spring storms10 claims · $50K
Camden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Camden County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Camden
Disasters that paid out in Camden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Camden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$79K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$76K to the City of Camden for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy778 households applied for aid$855K aid approved$252K to the City of Camden for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $30K
- 2011Hurricane Irene3,579 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$31K to the City of Camden for repairs27 flood claims paid for it, $79K
- 2009Snowstorm$37K to the City of Camden for repairs36 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding524 households applied for aid$342K aid approved18 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2,832 households applied for aid$3.4M aid approved$12K to the City of Camden for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
Camden County has had 17 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 Camden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Camden archive →Camden and its neighbors
Camden is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsauken Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Haddon Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Philadelphia | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,177 |
| Gloucester City | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Collingswood | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 34 |
| Camden | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 321 |
| Woodlynne | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 48 |
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 Camden 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 Camden
Is Camden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Camden has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #309 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Camden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 321 claims in Camden since 1979, $1.7M in all, or 11.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 45 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (27).
Is Camden 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 Camden County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Camden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Camden’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 Camden?
By FEMA money that reached Camden, Hurricane Irene (2011): 3,579 households applied for aid, $3.4M approved, and $31K to the City of Camden for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 27 paid, $79K.
Is Camden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Camden’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Camden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Camden’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.