Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in National Park than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, National Park gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #410 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then coastal flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 50 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 National Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What National Park 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
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 National Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in National Park, and National Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 27%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #410 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of National Park’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, National Park has more expected damage per building than 88% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across National Park: $739K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does National Park flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in National Park, from FEMA’s records: 47.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene8 claims · $29K
- The April 2007 nor’easter4 claims · $37K
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $47K
National Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gloucester County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to National Park
Disasters that paid out in National Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of National Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storm$12K to the Borough of National Park for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy8 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2011Hurricane Irene39 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$9K to the Borough of National Park for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to the Borough of National Park for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$7K to the Borough of National Park for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding14 households applied for aid$8K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$21K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Gloucester County has had 20 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.
Old photos of National Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the National Park archive →National Park and its neighbors
National Park 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Deptford Township | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 103 |
| Philadelphia | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,177 |
| National Park | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Thorofare | — | 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 National Park 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.
- 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 National Park
Is National Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, National Park has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #410 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and coastal flooding (27%). 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 National Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in National Park since 1978, $347K in all, or 47.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (8).
Is National Park 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 Gloucester County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in National Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for National Park’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 National Park?
By FEMA money that reached National Park, Hurricane Irene (2011): 39 households applied for aid, $17K approved, and $9K to the Borough of National Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 8 paid, $29K.
Is National Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and National Park’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in National Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where National Park’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.