Photo: Eye of Bri · CC BY-SA 4.0Hopewell’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopewell gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2009.
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 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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hopewell, and Hopewell’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+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hopewell’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $887K a year in losses across Hopewell: $732K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hopewell flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hopewell, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Henri3 claims · $143K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $17K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $33K
Hopewell 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hopewell
Disasters that paid out in Hopewell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Hopewell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida76 households applied for aid$366K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $33K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy35 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene40 households applied for aid$110K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $17K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hopewell archive →Get ready for what Hopewell 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
Is Hopewell at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopewell has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (14%). 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 Hopewell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Hopewell since 2009, $218K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Henri (3).
Is Hopewell 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hopewell’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?
By FEMA money that reached Hopewell, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 76 households applied for aid, $366K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Henri: 3 paid, $143K.
Is Hopewell at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Hopewell’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hopewell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hopewell’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.