Photo: Brandon S. Jacobsen · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Raritan Township faces less hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raritan Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #118 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then strong wind (11%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1984.
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 Raritan Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Raritan Township 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
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 Raritan Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raritan Township, and Raritan Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 11%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #118 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raritan Township’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, Raritan Township has less expected damage per building than 75% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.6M a year in losses across Raritan Township: $8.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Raritan Township flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Raritan Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida17 claims · $2.2M
- Hurricane Irene12 claims · $380K
- The April 2007 nor’easter6 claims · $114K
Raritan Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hunterdon County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raritan Township
Disasters that paid out in Raritan Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Raritan Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$595K to Raritan Township for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$95K to Raritan Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$200K to Raritan Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$43K to Raritan Township for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$13K to Raritan Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$44K to Raritan Township for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $380K
Show all 8
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to Raritan Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$35K to Raritan Township for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $81K
Hunterdon County has had 18 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 Raritan Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Raritan Township archive →Raritan Township and its neighbors
Raritan Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 7 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raritan Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Franklin Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Clinton Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Hillsborough Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| East Amwell Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Readington Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Delaware Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Three Bridges | — | 630 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ringoes | — | 934 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 Raritan Township 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.
- 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 Raritan Township
Is Raritan Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raritan Township has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #118 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and strong wind (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Raritan Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Raritan Township since 1984, $2.9M in all, or 5.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (17).
Is Raritan Township 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 Hunterdon County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Raritan Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Raritan Township’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 Raritan Township?
By FEMA money that reached Raritan Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): $595K to Raritan Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 17 paid, $2.2M.
Is Raritan Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Raritan Township’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Raritan Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Raritan Township’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.