Photo: Smallbones · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Folsom than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Folsom gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1981.
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 Folsom 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
Hurricanes
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 Folsom’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Folsom, and Folsom’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Folsom’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Folsom: $879K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Folsom flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Folsom, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Folsom isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Folsom
Disasters that paid out in Folsom itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Folsom), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the Borough of Folsom for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$20K to the Borough of Folsom for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$11K to the Borough of Folsom for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$8K to the Borough of Folsom for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the Borough of Folsom for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Borough of Folsom for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$7K to the Borough of Folsom for repairs
Atlantic County has had 28 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 Folsom after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Folsom archive →Folsom and its neighbors
Folsom is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammonton | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Buena Vista Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Folsom | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Newtonville | — | 675 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 Folsom 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.
- 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.
- 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 Folsom
Is Folsom at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Folsom has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (19%). 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 Folsom flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Folsom since 1981, $657 in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Folsom 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 Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Folsom?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Folsom’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 Folsom?
By FEMA money that reached Folsom, Severe Storm (2015): $20K to the Borough of Folsom for repairs.
Is Folsom at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Folsom’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Folsom.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Folsom’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.