Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in East Brunswick Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Brunswick Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #222 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 101 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 East Brunswick Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What East Brunswick 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
Earthquakes
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 Brunswick Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in East Brunswick Township, and East Brunswick Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #222 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
East Brunswick Township’s residents live in 11 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, East Brunswick Township has less expected damage per building than 53% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.4M a year in losses across East Brunswick Township: $15.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does East Brunswick Township flood? Yes: 101 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in East Brunswick Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene28 claims · $635K
- Hurricane Sandy28 claims · $1.2M
- The December Storm - nor’easter10 claims · $104K
East Brunswick 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: Middlesex County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to East Brunswick Township
Disasters that paid out in East Brunswick Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to East Brunswick Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida195 households applied for aid$355K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $93K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$206K to East Brunswick Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,001 households applied for aid$297K aid approved$1.9M to East Brunswick Township for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2011Severe Storm$262K to East Brunswick Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene366 households applied for aid$701K aid approved$451K to East Brunswick Township for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $635K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$153K to East Brunswick Township for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding156 households applied for aid$138K aid approved$275K to East Brunswick Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding25 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$11K to East Brunswick Township for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$17K to East Brunswick Township for repairs
Middlesex County has had 22 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 Brunswick Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the East Brunswick Township archive →East Brunswick Township and its neighbors
East Brunswick Township is 7th of the 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Brunswick Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Sayreville | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 324 |
| North Brunswick Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Old Bridge Township | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| South River | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 371 |
| Edison Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 154 |
| East Brunswick Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Helmetta | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Spotswood | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| New Brunswick | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Milltown | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
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 Brunswick 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Brunswick Township
Is East Brunswick Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, East Brunswick Township has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #222 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does East Brunswick Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 101 claims in East Brunswick Township since 1978, $2.5M in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (28).
Is East Brunswick 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in East Brunswick Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for East Brunswick 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 Brunswick Township?
By FEMA money that reached East Brunswick Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,001 households applied for aid, $297K approved, and $1.9M to East Brunswick Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 28 paid, $635K.
Is East Brunswick Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and East Brunswick Township’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in East Brunswick Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where East Brunswick 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.