Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0Northfield’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northfield gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #206 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1993.
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 Northfield 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
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 Northfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northfield, and Northfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #206 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northfield’s residents live in 3 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, Northfield has less expected damage per building than 56% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Northfield: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northfield flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northfield, from FEMA’s records: 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1 claim · $41K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $3K
Northfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northfield
Disasters that paid out in Northfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Northfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$21K to the City of Northfield for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy172 households applied for aid$207K aid approved$21K to the City of Northfield for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $41K
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$62K to the City of Northfield for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene88 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$39K to the City of Northfield for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the City of Northfield for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding58 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$36K to the City of Northfield for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$14K to the City of Northfield for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Atlantic County has had 28 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 Northfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northfield archive →Northfield and its neighbors
Northfield has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northfield | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 24 |
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Linwood | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Bargaintown | — | 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 Northfield 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Northfield
Is Northfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northfield has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #206 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Northfield since 1993, $393K in all, or 7.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1).
Is Northfield 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 Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northfield’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 Northfield?
By FEMA money that reached Northfield, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 172 households applied for aid, $207K approved, and $21K to the City of Northfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1 paid, $41K.
Is Northfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Northfield’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northfield’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.