Photo: DiskFool · Public domainFor strong wind, Pennington’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pennington gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #164 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Pennington 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 Pennington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pennington, and Pennington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #164 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pennington’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, Pennington has less expected damage per building than 65% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Pennington: $971K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pennington flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pennington, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $12K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $7K
Pennington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pennington
Disasters that paid out in Pennington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Pennington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida105 households applied for aid$255K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the Borough of Pennington for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy51 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$151K to the Borough of Pennington for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene79 households applied for aid$117K aid approved$45K to the Borough of Pennington for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$16K to the Borough of Pennington for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$20K to the Borough of Pennington for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$13K to the Borough of Pennington for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
Mercer County has had 20 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 Pennington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pennington archive →Get ready for what Pennington 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 Pennington
Is Pennington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pennington has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #164 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (17%). 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 Pennington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Pennington since 1979, $29K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Pennington 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 Mercer County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pennington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pennington’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 Pennington?
By FEMA money that reached Pennington, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 105 households applied for aid, $255K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $12K.
Is Pennington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Pennington’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pennington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pennington’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.