Photo: 2o46 · CC BY-SA 3.0Hammonton’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hammonton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #176 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 8 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 Hammonton 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 Hammonton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hammonton, and Hammonton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #176 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hammonton’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, Hammonton has less expected damage per building than 63% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Hammonton: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hammonton flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hammonton, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $8K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $4K
Hammonton 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hammonton
Disasters that paid out in Hammonton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hammonton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$159K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$283K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy153 households applied for aid$612K aid approved$97K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$4K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene199 households applied for aid$291K aid approved$11K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $8K
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$12K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding239 households applied for aid$324K aid approved$15K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$24K to the Town of Hammonton 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 Hammonton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hammonton archive →Hammonton and its neighbors
Hammonton is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shamong Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Hammonton | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Mullica Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 146 |
| Folsom | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Washington Township | — | 489 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 Hammonton 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 Hammonton
Is Hammonton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hammonton has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #176 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hammonton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Hammonton since 1978, $19K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Hammonton 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 Hammonton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hammonton’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 Hammonton?
By FEMA money that reached Hammonton, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 153 households applied for aid, $612K approved, and $97K to the Town of Hammonton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $8K.
Is Hammonton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Hammonton’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hammonton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hammonton’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.