Photo: Daderot · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in North Brunswick Township as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Brunswick Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #158 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1980.
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 North Brunswick 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
Earthquakes
Strong wind
Hurricanes
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 North Brunswick Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Brunswick Township, and North Brunswick Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #158 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
North Brunswick Township’s residents live in 9 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, North Brunswick Township has less expected damage per building than 66% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.1M a year in losses across North Brunswick Township: $9.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Brunswick Township flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Brunswick Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $34K
- The April 2007 nor’easter3 claims · $27K
- The Late winter storms2 claims · $7K
North Brunswick 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: Middlesex County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Brunswick Township
Disasters that paid out in North Brunswick Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to North Brunswick Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida475 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$13.4M to North Brunswick Township for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $13K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$166K to North Brunswick Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy742 households applied for aid$129K aid approved$481K to North Brunswick Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$25K to North Brunswick Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene200 households applied for aid$476K aid approved$101K to North Brunswick Township for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $34K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$102K to North Brunswick Township for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding22 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$57K to North Brunswick Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding48 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$38K to North Brunswick Township for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$54K to North Brunswick Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
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 North Brunswick Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Brunswick Township archive →North Brunswick Township and its neighbors
North Brunswick Township is 2nd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Brunswick Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| 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 |
| Franklin Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 188 |
| New Brunswick | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 82 |
| Milltown | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Deans | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Six Mile Run | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Franklin Park | — | 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 North Brunswick 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 North Brunswick Township
Is North Brunswick Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Brunswick Township has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #158 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and earthquakes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Brunswick Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in North Brunswick Township since 1980, $165K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is North Brunswick 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 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 North Brunswick Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for North Brunswick 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 North Brunswick Township?
By FEMA money that reached North Brunswick Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 475 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $13.4M to North Brunswick Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $34K.
Is North Brunswick Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and North Brunswick Township’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Brunswick Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Brunswick 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.