Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, High Bridge faces more hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Bridge gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #375 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 1982.
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 High Bridge 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
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 High Bridge’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in High Bridge, and High Bridge’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #375 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of High Bridge’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, High Bridge has more expected damage per building than 80% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across High Bridge: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does High Bridge flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in High Bridge, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $120K
- The December nor’easter1 claim · $15K
High Bridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hunterdon County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to High Bridge
Disasters that paid out in High Bridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of High Bridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida19 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$91K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$24K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy53 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$84K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$5K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$5K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene18 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$155K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $120K
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$28K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$798 to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$8K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs
Hunterdon County has had 18 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 High Bridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the High Bridge archive →High Bridge and its neighbors
High Bridge 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Lebanon Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
| High Bridge | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Annandale | — | 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 High Bridge 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.
- 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 High Bridge
Is High Bridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Bridge has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #375 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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 High Bridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in High Bridge since 1982, $142K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is High Bridge 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 Hunterdon County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in High Bridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for High Bridge’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 High Bridge?
By FEMA money that reached High Bridge, Hurricane Irene (2011): 18 households applied for aid, $48K approved, and $155K to the Borough of High Bridge for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $120K.
Is High Bridge at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and High Bridge’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in High Bridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where High Bridge’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.