Photo: Photographed by Daniel Case 2006-07-26 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Flemington than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flemington gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #68 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1996.
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 Flemington 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 Flemington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Flemington, and Flemington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #68 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Flemington’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, Flemington has less expected damage per building than 86% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Flemington: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Flemington flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Flemington, from FEMA’s records: 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $53K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $29K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $10K
Flemington 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 Flemington
Disasters that paid out in Flemington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Flemington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida618 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$116K to the Borough of Flemington for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $53K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to the Borough of Flemington for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy260 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$15K to the Borough of Flemington for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$5K to the Borough of Flemington for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene350 households applied for aid$685K aid approved$49K to the Borough of Flemington for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the Borough of Flemington for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$8K to the Borough of Flemington 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 Flemington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Flemington archive →Get ready for what Flemington 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 Flemington
Is Flemington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Flemington has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #68 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (13%). 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 Flemington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Flemington since 1996, $106K in all, or 4.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (3).
Is Flemington 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 Flemington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Flemington’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 Flemington?
By FEMA money that reached Flemington, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 618 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $116K to the Borough of Flemington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 3 paid, $53K.
Is Flemington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Flemington’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Flemington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Flemington’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.