Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Milford faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 38 claims here since 1984.
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 Milford 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
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 Milford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milford, and Milford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Milford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $865K a year in losses across Milford: $728K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milford flood? Sometimes: 38 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milford, from FEMA’s records: 69.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene18 claims · $309K
- Hurricane Ida8 claims · $256K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $4K
Milford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hunterdon County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milford
Disasters that paid out in Milford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Milford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida126 households applied for aid$375K aid approved$1.1M to the Borough of Milford for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $256K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$6K to the Borough of Milford for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy72 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$23K to the Borough of Milford for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$6K to the Borough of Milford for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$7K to the Borough of Milford for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene129 households applied for aid$320K aid approved$162K to the Borough of Milford for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $309K
Show all 9
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$7K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$19K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$37K aid approved$998 to the Borough of Milford for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Hunterdon County has had 18 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 Milford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milford archive →Milford and its neighbors
Milford is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holland Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Alexandria Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Milford | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 38 |
| Bridgeton Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 179 |
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 Milford 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.
- 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 Milford
Is Milford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milford has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) 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 Milford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 38 claims in Milford since 1984, $697K in all, or 69.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (18).
Is Milford 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 Hunterdon County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Milford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milford’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 Milford?
By FEMA money that reached Milford, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 126 households applied for aid, $375K approved, and $1.1M to the Borough of Milford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 18 paid, $309K.
Is Milford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Milford’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milford’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.