Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Hightstown than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hightstown gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #429 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1979.
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 Hightstown 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
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 Hightstown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hightstown, and Hightstown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D #429 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hightstown’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, Hightstown has more expected damage per building than 92% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Hightstown: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hightstown flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hightstown, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $267K
- Tropical Storm Henri1 claim · $47K
Hightstown 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hightstown
Disasters that paid out in Hightstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hightstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida35 households applied for aid$37K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Borough of Hightstown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy61 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$136K to the Borough of Hightstown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene64 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$1.1M to the Borough of Hightstown for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $267K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the Borough of Hightstown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$27K to the Borough of Hightstown for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding7 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$22K to the Borough of Hightstown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$919 to the Borough of Hightstown for repairs
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 Hightstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hightstown archive →Get ready for what Hightstown 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.
- 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 Hightstown
Is Hightstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hightstown has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #429 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (8%). 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 Hightstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Hightstown since 1979, $352K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Hightstown 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 Hightstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hightstown’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 Hightstown?
By FEMA money that reached Hightstown, Hurricane Irene (2011): 64 households applied for aid, $103K approved, and $1.1M to the Borough of Hightstown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $267K.
Is Hightstown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Hightstown’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hightstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hightstown’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.