Photo: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, North Wildwood faces more hazard damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, led by coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Wildwood gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #455 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (49%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 3,043 claims here since 1979.
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 North Wildwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Wildwood faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 North Wildwood’s grade
Coastal flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Wildwood, and North Wildwood’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #455 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Wildwood’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, North Wildwood has more expected damage per building than 97% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.7M a year in losses across North Wildwood: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Wildwood flood? Yes: 3,043 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Wildwood, from FEMA’s records: 361.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy622 claims · $17.9M
- The Winter Storm Jonas270 claims · $5.3M
- The December Storm - nor’easter228 claims · $1.8M
North Wildwood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Wildwood
Disasters that paid out in North Wildwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of North Wildwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$1.3M to the City of North Wildwood for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$1.1M to the City of North Wildwood for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$857K to the City of North Wildwood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$1.0M to the City of North Wildwood for repairs273 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy294 households applied for aid$287K aid approved$3.7M to the City of North Wildwood for repairs622 flood claims paid for it, $17.9M
- 2011Severe Storm$845K to the City of North Wildwood for repairs
Show all 11
- 2011Hurricane Irene22 households applied for aid$522 aid approved$81K to the City of North Wildwood for repairs34 flood claims paid for it, $474K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to the City of North Wildwood for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$1.6M to the City of North Wildwood for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$109K to the City of North Wildwood for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$1.3M to the City of North Wildwood for repairs98 flood claims paid that year
Cape May County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 North Wildwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Wildwood archive →North Wildwood and its neighbors
North Wildwood 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 738 |
| Wildwood | Dmore damage than 94% | coastal flooding | 1,893 |
| North Wildwood | Dmore damage than 95% | coastal flooding | 3,043 |
| West Wildwood | — | 588 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Stone Harbor | — | 893 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Wildwood faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- North Wildwood residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Wildwood
Is North Wildwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Wildwood has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #455 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (49%) and river and rain flooding (34%). 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 North Wildwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,043 claims in North Wildwood since 1979, $41.2M in all, or 361.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 553 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (622).
Is North Wildwood 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 Cape May County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 40.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Wildwood?
North Wildwood is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Wildwood?
By FEMA money that reached North Wildwood, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 294 households applied for aid, $287K approved, and $3.7M to the City of North Wildwood for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 622 paid, $17.9M.
Is North Wildwood at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and North Wildwood’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Wildwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Wildwood’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.