Cape May Historic District (Additional Documentation) · Photo: Smallbones · CC0For coastal flooding, Cape May’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cape May gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #271 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 1,028 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 Cape May’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cape May 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
Coastal 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 Cape May’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cape May, and Cape May’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #271 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cape May’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cape May has more expected damage per building than 58% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Cape May: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cape May flood? Yes: 1,028 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cape May, from FEMA’s records: 269.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gloria357 claims · $3.4M
- Hurricane Sandy52 claims · $1.5M
- The December Storm - nor’easter44 claims · $312K
Cape May is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cape May
Disasters that paid out in Cape May itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cape May), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$87K to the City of Cape May for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to the City of Cape May for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy165 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$380K to the City of Cape May for repairs52 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene43 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$56K to the City of Cape May for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $34K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$25K to the City of Cape May for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding256 households applied for aid$386K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to the City of Cape May for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$12K to the City of Cape May for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cape May archive →Cape May and its neighbors
Cape May has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape May | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1,028 |
| Lower Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| West Cape May | — | not graded yet | |
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 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.
- 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.
- 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 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 Cape May
Is Cape May at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cape May has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #271 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (24%). 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 Cape May flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,028 claims in Cape May since 1978, $9.6M in all, or 269.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 68 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gloria (357).
Is Cape May 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?
Cape May 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 Cape May?
By FEMA money that reached Cape May, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 165 households applied for aid, $90K approved, and $380K to the City of Cape May for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gloria: 357 paid, $3.4M.
Is Cape May at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Cape May’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cape May.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cape May’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.