Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Pleasantville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pleasantville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #311 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (31%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 208 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 Pleasantville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pleasantville 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
Coastal flooding
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 Pleasantville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 31% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pleasantville, and Pleasantville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 21%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #311 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pleasantville’s residents live in 5 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, Pleasantville has more expected damage per building than 66% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Pleasantville: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pleasantville flood? Yes: 208 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pleasantville, from FEMA’s records: 28.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy59 claims · $2.8M
- The December Storm - nor’easter32 claims · $447K
- The “Halloween” storm6 claims · $226K
Pleasantville is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pleasantville
Disasters that paid out in Pleasantville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pleasantville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$21K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,300 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$936K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs59 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$171K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene406 households applied for aid$133K aid approved$46K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $40K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$35K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$916 to the City of Pleasantville for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$31K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs5 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 Pleasantville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pleasantville archive →Pleasantville and its neighbors
Pleasantville is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Absecon | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| Pleasantville | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 208 |
| Atlantic City | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5,161 |
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 Pleasantville 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pleasantville 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 Pleasantville
Is Pleasantville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pleasantville has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #311 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (31%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pleasantville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 208 claims in Pleasantville since 1979, $5.3M in all, or 28.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (59).
Is Pleasantville 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 Pleasantville?
Pleasantville 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 Pleasantville?
By FEMA money that reached Pleasantville, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,300 households applied for aid, $2.7M approved, and $936K to the City of Pleasantville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 59 paid, $2.8M.
Is Pleasantville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (31%), and Pleasantville’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pleasantville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pleasantville’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.