Photo: ajay_suresh · CC BY 4.0For strong wind, Princeton’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #261 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 101 claims here since 1978.
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 Princeton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Princeton 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 Princeton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Princeton, and Princeton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #261 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Princeton’s residents live in 7 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, Princeton has more expected damage per building than 56% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.3M a year in losses across Princeton: $12.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Princeton flood? Yes: 101 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Princeton, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene21 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Ida17 claims · $2.8M
- Hurricane Floyd9 claims · $278K
Princeton 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 Princeton
Disasters that paid out in Princeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to Princeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida255 households applied for aid$657K aid approved$579K to Princeton for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$51K to Princeton for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy231 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$676K to Princeton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene504 households applied for aid$914K aid approved$580K to Princeton for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to Princeton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding259 households applied for aid$403K aid approved$139K to Princeton for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding25 households applied for aid$47K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$37K to Princeton for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $278K
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 Princeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Princeton archive →Princeton and its neighbors
Princeton is 3rd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Brunswick Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| Franklin Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 188 |
| Princeton | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Hopewell Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Lawrence Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 161 |
| Montgomery Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 115 |
| West Windsor Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| Plainsboro Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Kingston | — | 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 Princeton 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 Princeton
Is Princeton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Princeton has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #261 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Princeton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 101 claims in Princeton since 1978, $5.0M in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (21).
Is Princeton 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 Princeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Princeton’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 Princeton?
By FEMA money that reached Princeton, Hurricane Irene (2011): 504 households applied for aid, $914K approved, and $580K to Princeton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 21 paid, $1.3M.
Is Princeton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Princeton’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Princeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Princeton’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.