Ensley-Mount-Buckalew House · Photo: Rickyrab at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Jamesburg faces less hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamesburg gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #106 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 36 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 stands out about Jamesburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jamesburg 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
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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 Jamesburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jamesburg, and Jamesburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #106 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Jamesburg’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, Jamesburg has less expected damage per building than 78% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Jamesburg: $797K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jamesburg flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jamesburg, from FEMA’s records: 17.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $323K
- Tropical Storm Henri9 claims · $255K
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $15K
Jamesburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jamesburg
Disasters that paid out in Jamesburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Jamesburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida30 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$625K to the Borough of Jamesburg for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Borough of Jamesburg for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy142 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$150K to the Borough of Jamesburg for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene87 households applied for aid$260K aid approved$43K to the Borough of Jamesburg for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $323K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Borough of Jamesburg for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K to the Borough of Jamesburg for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding6 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$1K to the Borough of Jamesburg for repairs
Middlesex County has had 22 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 Jamesburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jamesburg archive →Get ready for what Jamesburg 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Jamesburg
Is Jamesburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamesburg has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #106 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and strong wind (7%). 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 Jamesburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Jamesburg since 1979, $709K in all, or 17.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (12).
Is Jamesburg 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Jamesburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Jamesburg’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 Jamesburg?
By FEMA money that reached Jamesburg, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 30 households applied for aid, $92K approved, and $625K to the Borough of Jamesburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 12 paid, $323K.
Is Jamesburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Jamesburg’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jamesburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jamesburg’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.