Photo: Brandon S. Jacobsen · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Raritan’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raritan gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #321 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Raritan 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
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’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raritan, and Raritan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
C #321 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raritan’s residents live in 2 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 has more expected damage per building than 69% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Raritan: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Raritan flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Raritan, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $877K
- Hurricane Ida3 claims · $651K
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $993K
Raritan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raritan
Disasters that paid out in Raritan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Raritan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida197 households applied for aid$705K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $651K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy70 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene58 households applied for aid$86K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $877K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$823 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Somerset 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 Raritan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Raritan archive →Raritan and its neighbors
Raritan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| Bridgewater Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Raritan | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Somerville | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 182 |
| Bradley Gardens | — | 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 Raritan 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.
- 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
Is Raritan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raritan has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #321 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Raritan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Raritan since 1979, $3.7M in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is Raritan 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 Somerset County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Raritan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Raritan’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?
By FEMA money that reached Raritan, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 197 households applied for aid, $705K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $877K.
Is Raritan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Raritan’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Raritan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Raritan’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.