Photo: John Bohnel · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Clinton Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #141 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 Clinton Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clinton Township 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 Clinton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clinton Township, and Clinton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #141 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clinton Township’s residents live in 3 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, Clinton Township has less expected damage per building than 70% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Clinton Township: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clinton Township flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clinton Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $251K
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $79K
- The December nor’easter3 claims · $12K
Clinton Township 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clinton Township
Disasters that paid out in Clinton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Clinton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to Clinton Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to Clinton Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$179K to Clinton Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$19K to Clinton Township for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $79K
- 2011Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds$81K to Clinton Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to Clinton Township for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to Clinton Township for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to Clinton Township for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $5K
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 Clinton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clinton Township archive →Clinton Township and its neighbors
Clinton Township is 4th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Township | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 441 |
| Raritan Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Franklin Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Clinton Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Tewksbury Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Lebanon Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| Readington Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| High Bridge | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Clinton | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 47 |
| Annandale | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Clinton Township 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 Clinton Township
Is Clinton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton Township has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #141 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and strong wind (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clinton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Clinton Township since 1979, $377K in all, or 5.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (7).
Is Clinton Township 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 Clinton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clinton Township’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 Clinton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Clinton Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $179K to Clinton Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 7 paid, $251K.
Is Clinton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Clinton Township’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clinton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clinton Township’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.