Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, East Amwell Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Amwell Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #215 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1980.
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 East Amwell 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 East Amwell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Amwell Township, and East Amwell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #215 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of East Amwell Township’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, East Amwell Township has less expected damage per building than 54% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across East Amwell Township: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Amwell Township flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Amwell Township, from FEMA’s records: 14.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida7 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Floyd6 claims · $132K
- Hurricane Irene6 claims · $143K
East Amwell 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Amwell Township
Disasters that paid out in East Amwell Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to East Amwell Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$78K to East Amwell Township for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$18K to East Amwell Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$54K to East Amwell Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$30K to East Amwell Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$14K to East Amwell Township for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $143K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$6K to East Amwell Township for repairs
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 East Amwell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Amwell Township archive →East Amwell Township and its neighbors
East Amwell Township is 4th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raritan Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Hillsborough Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| West Amwell Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| East Amwell Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Hopewell Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Delaware Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Ringoes | — | 934 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 East Amwell 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 East Amwell Township
Is East Amwell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Amwell Township has higher expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #215 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and strong wind (8%). 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 East Amwell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in East Amwell Township since 1980, $1.6M in all, or 14.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (7).
Is East Amwell 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 East Amwell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Amwell 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 East Amwell Township?
By FEMA money that reached East Amwell Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 1 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $78K to East Amwell Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 7 paid, $1.2M.
Is East Amwell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and East Amwell Township’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Amwell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Amwell 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.