Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA puts Middle Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middle Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #317 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (34%), then coastal flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 738 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 Middle Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Middle Township 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 Middle Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 34% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middle Township, and Middle Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #317 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Middle Township’s residents live in 5 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, Middle Township has more expected damage per building than 68% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.6M a year in losses across Middle Township: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middle Township flood? Yes: 738 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middle Township, from FEMA’s records: 71.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy195 claims · $5.6M
- Hurricane Gloria54 claims · $462K
- The December Storm - nor’easter46 claims · $405K
Middle Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Middle Township
Disasters that paid out in Middle Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Middle Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to Middle Township for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$847K to Middle Township for repairs195 flood claims paid for it, $5.6M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$57K to Middle Township for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $135K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$48K to Middle Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$190K to Middle Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$284K to Middle Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$235K to Middle Township for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
Cape May County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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.
Old photos of Middle Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middle Township archive →Middle Township and its neighbors
Middle Township is 3rd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Lower Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Middle Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 738 |
| Avalon | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1,759 |
| Sea Isle City | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 2,367 |
| Wildwood | Dmore damage than 94% | coastal flooding | 1,893 |
| North Wildwood | Dmore damage than 95% | coastal flooding | 3,043 |
| South Dennis | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Villas | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| West Wildwood | — | 588 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stone Harbor | — | 893 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Middle Township 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Middle Township
Is Middle Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middle Township has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #317 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (34%) and coastal flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Middle Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 738 claims in Middle Township since 1978, $9.9M in all, or 71.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 82 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (195).
Is Middle Township 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 Cape May County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 40.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Middle Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middle Township’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 Middle Township?
By FEMA money that reached Middle Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $847K to Middle Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 195 paid, $5.6M.
Is Middle Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (34%), and Middle Township’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middle Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middle Township’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.