Photo: Freeholdman12 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Milltown’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milltown gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #413 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 27 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 Milltown 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 Milltown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Milltown, and Milltown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #413 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Milltown’s 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, Milltown has more expected damage per building than 88% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Milltown: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Milltown flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Milltown, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene8 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $1.4M
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $30K
Milltown 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Milltown
Disasters that paid out in Milltown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Milltown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida86 households applied for aid$149K aid approved$104K to the Borough of Milltown for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$62K to the Borough of Milltown for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy114 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$430K to the Borough of Milltown for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene216 households applied for aid$500K aid approved$453K to the Borough of Milltown for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to the Borough of Milltown for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding11 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$27K to the Borough of Milltown for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding140 households applied for aid$113K aid approved$47K to the Borough of Milltown for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
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 Milltown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Milltown archive →Milltown and its neighbors
Milltown is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Brunswick Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| East Brunswick Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Milltown | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
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 Milltown 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 Milltown
Is Milltown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Milltown has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #413 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). 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 Milltown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Milltown since 1978, $2.8M in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (8).
Is Milltown 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 Milltown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Milltown’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 Milltown?
By FEMA money that reached Milltown, Hurricane Irene (2011): 216 households applied for aid, $500K approved, and $453K to the Borough of Milltown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 8 paid, $1.4M.
Is Milltown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Milltown’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Milltown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Milltown’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.