Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0Hamilton Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton Township gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #231 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 311 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
Wildfire
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 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamilton Township, and Hamilton Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #231 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamilton Township’s residents live in 4 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 less expected damage per building than 51% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Hamilton Township: $7.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamilton Township flood? Yes: 311 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamilton Township, from FEMA’s records: 27.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene77 claims · $2.5M
- The April 2007 nor’easter28 claims · $259K
- Hurricane Sandy26 claims · $1.7M
Hamilton Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.10 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.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$121K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$34K to Hamilton Township for repairs26 flood claims paid for it, $1.7M
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$559K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$37K to Hamilton Township for repairs77 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to Hamilton Township for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$52K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$71K to Hamilton Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$94K to Hamilton Township for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$41K to Hamilton Township for repairs29 flood claims paid that year
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Hamilton Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 311 |
| Galloway Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Weymouth Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Estell Manor | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Mullica Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 146 |
| Mays Landing | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Richland | — | 639 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 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Hamilton Township residents get 15% off flood insurance.
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 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #231 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hamilton Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 311 claims in Hamilton Township since 1978, $6.2M in all, or 27.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 33 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (77).
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 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 Hamilton Township?
Hamilton Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $559K to Hamilton Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 77 paid, $2.5M.
Is Hamilton Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Hamilton Township’s rate for it is lower than 70% 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.