Cinnaminson Avenue and Spring Garden Street Schools · Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Palmyra’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmyra gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #457 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 2005.
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 Palmyra’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Palmyra 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 Palmyra’s grade
River and rain flooding is 90% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palmyra, and Palmyra’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #457 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palmyra’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, Palmyra has more expected damage per building than 98% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Palmyra: $3.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palmyra flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palmyra, from FEMA’s records: 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter9 claims · $27K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $29K
- Hurricane Sandy2 claims · $41K
Palmyra is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Burlington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palmyra
Disasters that paid out in Palmyra itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Palmyra), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Borough of Palmyra for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy7 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$56K to the Borough of Palmyra for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $41K
- 2011Hurricane Irene40 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$5K to the Borough of Palmyra for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $29K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to the Borough of Palmyra for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding32 households applied for aid$15K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$617 aid approved
Burlington County has had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burlington County, 2007–2007.
Old photos of Palmyra after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palmyra archive →Palmyra and its neighbors
Palmyra is 4th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsauken Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 108 |
| Philadelphia | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,177 |
| Cinnaminson Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
| Palmyra | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Riverton | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Palmyra 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.
- Palmyra residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Palmyra
Is Palmyra at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmyra has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #457 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (90%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palmyra flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Palmyra since 2005, $246K in all, or 8.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (9).
Is Palmyra 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 Burlington County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Palmyra?
Palmyra is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Palmyra?
By FEMA money that reached Palmyra, Hurricane Irene (2011): 40 households applied for aid, $76K approved, and $5K to the Borough of Palmyra for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 9 paid, $27K.
Is Palmyra at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (90%), and Palmyra’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palmyra.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palmyra’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.