Photo: Soc 59 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Middlesex than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middlesex gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #438 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 977 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 Middlesex’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Middlesex 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
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 Middlesex’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in Middlesex, and Middlesex’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #438 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Middlesex’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, Middlesex has more expected damage per building than 94% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across Middlesex: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Middlesex flood? Yes: 977 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Middlesex, from FEMA’s records: 168.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene228 claims · $7.8M
- Hurricane Floyd153 claims · $3.8M
- Hurricane Ida143 claims · $11.3M
Middlesex 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 Middlesex
Disasters that paid out in Middlesex itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Middlesex), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida595 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$408K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs143 flood claims paid for it, $11.3M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy563 households applied for aid$57K aid approved$376K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene384 households applied for aid$998K aid approved$225K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs228 flood claims paid for it, $7.8M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$26K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding96 households applied for aid$325K aid approved$53K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding72 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$77K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs86 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$154K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs153 flood claims paid for it, $3.8M
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 Middlesex after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Middlesex archive →Middlesex and its neighbors
Middlesex is 6th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Piscataway Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 232 |
| Green Brook Township | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 268 |
| South Bound Brook | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Dunellen | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 362 |
| Middlesex | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 977 |
| Bound Brook | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1,809 |
| Martinsville | — | 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 Middlesex 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.
- 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 Middlesex
Is Middlesex at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Middlesex has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #438 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Middlesex flood?
Flood insurance has paid 977 claims in Middlesex since 1978, $34.2M in all, or 168.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 178 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (228).
Is Middlesex 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 Middlesex?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Middlesex’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 Middlesex?
By FEMA money that reached Middlesex, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 595 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $408K to the Borough of Middlesex for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 228 paid, $7.8M.
Is Middlesex at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and Middlesex’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Middlesex.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Middlesex’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.