Photo: Smallbones · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Elmer than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmer gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Elmer 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
Hurricanes
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 Elmer’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elmer, and Elmer’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 15%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Elmer’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $394K a year in losses across Elmer: $276K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elmer flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elmer, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Elmer isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Salem County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elmer
Disasters that paid out in Elmer itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Elmer), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy11 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$2K to the Borough of Elmer for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$2K to the Borough of Elmer for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene223 households applied for aid$446K aid approved$20K to the Borough of Elmer for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Borough of Elmer for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$2K to the Borough of Elmer for repairs
Salem County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Elmer after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elmer archive →Elmer and its neighbors
Elmer has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmer | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Upper Pittsgrove Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Pittsgrove Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Elmer 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.
- 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.
- 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 Elmer
Is Elmer at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elmer has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and earthquakes (16%). 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 Elmer flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Elmer since 1980, $28K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Elmer 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 Salem County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elmer?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elmer’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 Elmer?
By FEMA money that reached Elmer, Hurricane Irene (2011): 223 households applied for aid, $446K approved, and $20K to the Borough of Elmer for repairs.
Is Elmer at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Elmer’s rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elmer.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elmer’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.