Photo: Sanoyes at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA puts Riverton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverton gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #466 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1994.
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 Riverton 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
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 Riverton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Riverton, and Riverton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #466 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Riverton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Riverton has more expected damage per building than 100% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Riverton: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Riverton flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Riverton, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Riverton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burlington County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Riverton
Disasters that paid out in Riverton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Riverton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to the Borough of Riverton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy4 households applied for aid$226 aid approved$22K to the Borough of Riverton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene8 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$7K to the Borough of Riverton for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Borough of Riverton for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Borough of Riverton for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$11K to the Borough of Riverton for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding1 households applied for aid$413 aid approved
Burlington County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burlington County, 2007–2007.
Old photos of Riverton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Riverton archive →Riverton and its neighbors
Riverton is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 1,177 |
| Cinnaminson Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 140 |
| Palmyra | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Riverton | D−more damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 Riverton 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.
- 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 Riverton
Is Riverton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Riverton has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #466 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Riverton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Riverton since 1994, $4K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Riverton 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 Burlington County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Riverton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Riverton’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 Riverton?
By FEMA money that reached Riverton, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 4 households applied for aid, $226 approved, and $22K to the Borough of Riverton for repairs.
Is Riverton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Riverton’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Riverton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Riverton’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.