Photo: Eva and Rodney Hargis · CC BY-SA 2.0For strong wind, Hamilton Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #282 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 247 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 Hamilton Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hamilton 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
Hurricanes
Strong wind
Earthquakes
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 Hamilton Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamilton Township, and Hamilton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #282 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamilton Township’s residents live in 17 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, Hamilton Township has more expected damage per building than 60% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $34.6M a year in losses across Hamilton Township: $27.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamilton Township flood? Yes: 247 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamilton Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene63 claims · $2.7M
- Hurricane Floyd28 claims · $584K
- The April 2007 nor’easter22 claims · $134K
Hamilton 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: Mercer County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamilton Township
Disasters that paid out in Hamilton Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hamilton Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida72 households applied for aid$133K aid approved13 flood claims paid for it, $318K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy192 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene204 households applied for aid$363K aid approved63 flood claims paid for it, $2.7M
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding32 households applied for aid$34K aid approved23 flood claims paid that year
Mercer 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 Hamilton Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamilton Township archive →Hamilton Township and its neighbors
Hamilton Township is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Hanover Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Hamilton Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 247 |
| Bordentown Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Lawrence Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 161 |
| Bordentown | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Trenton | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 830 |
| Groveville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Crosswicks | — | 900 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Yardville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| White Horse | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Hamilton 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Hamilton Township
Is Hamilton Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton Township has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #282 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hamilton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 247 claims in Hamilton Township since 1978, $4.6M in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (63).
Is Hamilton 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 Mercer County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamilton Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamilton 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 Hamilton Township?
By FEMA money that reached Hamilton Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 204 households applied for aid, $363K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 63 paid, $2.7M.
Is Hamilton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Hamilton Township’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamilton Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamilton 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.