Photo: Deadhenry · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Linwood than in 74% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linwood gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #345 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 59 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 Linwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Linwood 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
Coastal flooding
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 Linwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Linwood, and Linwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 22%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #345 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Linwood’s residents live in 4 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, Linwood has more expected damage per building than 74% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.4M a year in losses across Linwood: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Linwood flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Linwood, from FEMA’s records: 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy40 claims · $1.4M
- The December Storm - nor’easter3 claims · $18K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $563
Linwood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Linwood
Disasters that paid out in Linwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Linwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$133K to the City of Linwood for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Linwood for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy103 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$50K to the City of Linwood for repairs40 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$80K to the City of Linwood for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene40 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$13K to the City of Linwood for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $563
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the City of Linwood for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$28K to the City of Linwood for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$21K to the City of Linwood for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Atlantic County has had 28 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 Linwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Linwood archive →Linwood and its neighbors
Linwood is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northfield | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Somers Point | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 268 |
| Linwood | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Bargaintown | — | 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 Linwood 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Linwood residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Linwood
Is Linwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Linwood has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #345 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Linwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Linwood since 1979, $1.6M in all, or 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (40).
Is Linwood 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 Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Linwood?
Linwood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Linwood?
By FEMA money that reached Linwood, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 103 households applied for aid, $96K approved, and $50K to the City of Linwood for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 40 paid, $1.4M.
Is Linwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Linwood’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Linwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Linwood’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.