Photo: Acroterion · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Margate City than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Margate City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #444 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then coastal flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 2,669 claims here since 1978.
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 Margate City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Margate City 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
Coastal 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 Margate City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Margate City, and Margate City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 24%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #444 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Margate City’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, Margate City has more expected damage per building than 95% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.6M a year in losses across Margate City: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Margate City flood? Yes: 2,669 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Margate City, from FEMA’s records: 388.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1,943 claims · $69.7M
- The December Storm - nor’easter364 claims · $4.7M
- Hurricane Gloria53 claims · $275K
Margate City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Margate City
Disasters that paid out in Margate City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Margate City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,668 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved1,943 flood claims paid for it, $69.7M
- 2011Hurricane Irene42 households applied for aid$37K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $38K
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 Margate City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Margate City archive →Margate City and its neighbors
Margate City is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Margate City | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2,669 |
| Ventnor City | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3,403 |
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 Margate City 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Margate City 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 Margate City
Is Margate City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Margate City has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #444 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and coastal flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Margate City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,669 claims in Margate City since 1978, $76.3M in all, or 388.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 78 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1,943).
Is Margate City 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 Margate City?
Margate City 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 Margate City?
By FEMA money that reached Margate City, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,668 households applied for aid, $3.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1,943 paid, $69.7M.
Is Margate City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Margate City’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Margate City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Margate City’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.