Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Port Republic’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Republic gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 60 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 Port Republic’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Republic 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 Port Republic’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Republic, and Port Republic’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 14%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Port Republic’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $561K a year in losses across Port Republic: $512K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Republic flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Republic, from FEMA’s records: 124.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy20 claims · $1.5M
- The December Storm - nor’easter10 claims · $173K
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $11K
Port Republic 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Republic
Disasters that paid out in Port Republic itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Republic), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy38 households applied for aid$154K aid approved$35K to the City of Port Republic for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$14K to the City of Port Republic for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$105K to the City of Port Republic for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to the City of Port Republic for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$8K to the City of Port Republic for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$24K to the City of Port Republic for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$10K to the City of Port Republic for repairs
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 Port Republic after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Republic archive →Port Republic and its neighbors
Port Republic is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galloway Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Bass River Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Port Republic | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Smithville | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Washington Township | — | 489 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Port Republic 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Port Republic
Is Port Republic at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Republic has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (21%). 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 Port Republic flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Port Republic since 1979, $1.8M in all, or 124.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (20).
Is Port Republic 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 Port Republic?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Republic’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 Port Republic?
By FEMA money that reached Port Republic, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 38 households applied for aid, $154K approved, and $35K to the City of Port Republic for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 20 paid, $1.5M.
Is Port Republic at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Port Republic’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Republic.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Republic’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.