Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hamburg than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamburg gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #324 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then strong wind (12%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamburg, and Hamburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 12%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #324 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hamburg’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, Hamburg has more expected damage per building than 69% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Hamburg: $983K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamburg flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hamburg. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hamburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sussex County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamburg
Disasters that paid out in Hamburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hamburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the Borough of Hamburg for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$153K to the Borough of Hamburg for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy38 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$48K to the Borough of Hamburg for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene123 households applied for aid$198K aid approved$121K to the Borough of Hamburg for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$1K to the Borough of Hamburg for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$6K to the Borough of Hamburg for repairs
Sussex County has had 20 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 Hamburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamburg archive →Hamburg and its neighbors
Hamburg 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardyston Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Franklin | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Hamburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
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 Hamburg 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 Hamburg
Is Hamburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamburg has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #324 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and strong wind (12%). 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.
Is Hamburg 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 Sussex County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamburg’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 Hamburg?
By FEMA money that reached Hamburg, Hurricane Irene (2011): 123 households applied for aid, $198K approved, and $121K to the Borough of Hamburg for repairs.
Is Hamburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Hamburg’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamburg’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.