Photo: Smallbones · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Cape May Point
Cape May Point isn’t graded for hazard risk: Cape May Point has 138 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 91 claims here since 1979.
What Cape May Point 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.
Does Cape May Point flood? Sometimes: 91 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cape May Point, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Gloria14 claims · $53K
- The “Halloween” storm10 claims · $40K
- Hurricane Sandy6 claims · $203K
Cape May Point is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cape May Point
Disasters that paid out in Cape May Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Cape May Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy5 households applied for aid$21K to the Borough of Cape May Point for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $203K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$5K to the Borough of Cape May Point for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$2K to the Borough of Cape May Point for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Borough of Cape May Point for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$1K to the Borough of Cape May Point for repairs
Cape May County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 Cape May Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cape May Point archive →Cape May Point and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
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 Cape May Point 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.
- Cape May Point residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cape May Point
Does Cape May Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 91 claims in Cape May Point since 1979, $839K in all. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gloria (14).
Is Cape May Point 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 Cape May County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 40.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cape May Point?
Cape May Point is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Cape May Point?
By FEMA money that reached Cape May Point, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 5 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $21K to the Borough of Cape May Point for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gloria: 14 paid, $53K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cape May Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cape May Point’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.