Photo: Rafaelgarcia · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Perth Amboy than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perth Amboy gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #22 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 37 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 stands out about Perth Amboy’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Perth Amboy 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 Perth Amboy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Perth Amboy, and Perth Amboy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A #22 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Perth Amboy’s residents live in 12 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, Perth Amboy has less expected damage per building than 96% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.4M a year in losses across Perth Amboy: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Perth Amboy flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Perth Amboy, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy12 claims · $2.1M
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $152K
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $379K
Perth Amboy is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Perth Amboy
Disasters that paid out in Perth Amboy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Perth Amboy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida255 households applied for aid$310K aid approved$216K to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$178K to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,344 households applied for aid$566K aid approved$11.3M to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
- 2011Severe Storm$18K to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene133 households applied for aid$113K aid approved$135K to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $152K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$90K to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding9 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$118K to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$212K to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$25K to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
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 Perth Amboy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Perth Amboy archive →Perth Amboy and its neighbors
Perth Amboy has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Amboy | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| New York | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 36,272 |
| South Amboy | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Woodbridge Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 597 |
| Sayreville | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 324 |
| Sewaren | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Hopelawn | — | 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 Perth Amboy 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.
- Perth Amboy residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Perth Amboy
Is Perth Amboy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Perth Amboy has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #22 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Perth Amboy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Perth Amboy since 1980, $3.4M in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (12).
Is Perth Amboy 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 Perth Amboy?
Perth Amboy is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Perth Amboy?
By FEMA money that reached Perth Amboy, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,344 households applied for aid, $566K approved, and $11.3M to the City of Perth Amboy for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 12 paid, $2.1M.
Is Perth Amboy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Perth Amboy’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Perth Amboy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Perth Amboy’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.