Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page, my Commons user talk page, or my English Wikipedia user talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) · CC BY 4.0Medford Lakes’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medford Lakes gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #149 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1987.
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 Medford Lakes 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
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 Medford Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Medford Lakes, and Medford Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #149 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Medford Lakes’ 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, Medford Lakes has less expected damage per building than 68% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Medford Lakes: $963K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Medford Lakes flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Medford Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $79K
Medford Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burlington County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Medford Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Medford Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Medford Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$60K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$90K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy3 households applied for aid$13K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene10 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$176K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $79K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs
Show all 11
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$14K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding12 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$3K to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding201 households applied for aid$337K aid approved$2.1M to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
Burlington County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burlington County, 2007–2007.
Old photos of Medford Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Medford Lakes archive →Get ready for what Medford Lakes 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.
- 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 Medford Lakes
Is Medford Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Medford Lakes has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #149 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 Medford Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Medford Lakes since 1987, $300K in all, or 15.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Medford Lakes 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 Burlington County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Medford Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Medford Lakes’ 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 Medford Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Medford Lakes, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 201 households applied for aid, $337K approved, and $2.1M to the Borough of Medford Lakes for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $79K.
Is Medford Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Medford Lakes’ rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Medford Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Medford Lakes’ 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.