Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0Readington Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Readington Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #279 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 33 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 Readington Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Readington 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 Readington Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Readington Township, and Readington Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #279 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Readington Township’s residents live in 4 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, Readington Township has more expected damage per building than 60% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.5M a year in losses across Readington Township: $7.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Readington Township flood? Sometimes: 33 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Readington Township, 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 Ida11 claims · $525K
- Hurricane Irene8 claims · $166K
- Hurricane Floyd5 claims · $116K
Readington 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Readington Township
Disasters that paid out in Readington Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Readington Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$97K to Readington Township for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $525K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$81K to Readington Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$3.0M to Readington Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$34K to Readington Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$54K to Readington Township for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $166K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$20K to Readington Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$64K to Readington Township for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $116K
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 Readington Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Readington Township archive →Readington Township and its neighbors
Readington Township is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raritan Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Clinton Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 26 |
| Hillsborough Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| Tewksbury Township | C+more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 23 |
| Bedminster Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Branchburg Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 185 |
| Readington Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Three Bridges | — | 630 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 Readington 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 Readington Township
Is Readington Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Readington Township has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #279 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and strong wind (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Readington Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 33 claims in Readington Township since 1979, $856K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (11).
Is Readington 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 Readington Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Readington 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 Readington Township?
By FEMA money that reached Readington Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $3.0M to Readington Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 11 paid, $525K.
Is Readington Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Readington Township’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Readington Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Readington 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.