Photo: Eye of Bri · CC BY-SA 4.0For strong wind, Hopewell Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopewell Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #262 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 69 claims here since 1984.
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 Hopewell 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
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 Hopewell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hopewell Township, and Hopewell 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+ #262 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hopewell Township’s residents live in 3 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, Hopewell Township has more expected damage per building than 56% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Hopewell Township: $8.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hopewell Township flood? Sometimes: 69 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hopewell Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida21 claims · $2.1M
- Hurricane Irene8 claims · $669K
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $86K
Hopewell 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hopewell Township
Disasters that paid out in Hopewell Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hopewell Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$15K to Hopewell Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$6K to Hopewell Township for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $669K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$41K to Hopewell Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to Hopewell Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to Hopewell Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to Hopewell Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Snowstorm$6K to Hopewell Township 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 Hopewell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hopewell Township archive →Hopewell Township and its neighbors
Hopewell Township is 6th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Amwell Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Upper Makefield Township | B−less damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 300 |
| East Amwell Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Solebury Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 199 |
| Princeton | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Hopewell Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Lawrence Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 161 |
| Montgomery Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| Ewing Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 375 |
| Titusville | — | 501 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 Hopewell 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.
- 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 Hopewell Township
Is Hopewell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopewell Township has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #262 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hopewell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 69 claims in Hopewell Township since 1984, $3.5M in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (21).
Is Hopewell 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 Hopewell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hopewell 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 Hopewell Township?
By FEMA money that reached Hopewell Township, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): $41K to Hopewell Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 21 paid, $2.1M.
Is Hopewell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Hopewell Township’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hopewell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hopewell 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.