Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Runnemede’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Runnemede gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #39 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%), then earthquakes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Runnemede 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
Hurricanes
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 Runnemede’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Runnemede, and Runnemede’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 15% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
A #39 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Runnemede’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, Runnemede has less expected damage per building than 92% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Runnemede: $951K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Runnemede flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Runnemede, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Runnemede isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Camden County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Runnemede
Disasters that paid out in Runnemede itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Runnemede), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to the Borough of Runnemede for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy10 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$18K to the Borough of Runnemede for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene29 households applied for aid$67K aid approved$6K to the Borough of Runnemede for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Borough of Runnemede for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$12K to the Borough of Runnemede for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding6 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$7K to the Borough of Runnemede for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Camden County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Runnemede after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Runnemede archive →Runnemede and its neighbors
Runnemede is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Magnolia | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Deptford Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Gloucester Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Runnemede | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Bellmawr | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Glendora | — | 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 Runnemede 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.
- 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.
- 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 Runnemede
Is Runnemede at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Runnemede has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #39 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Runnemede flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Runnemede since 1978, $30K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Runnemede 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 Camden County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Runnemede?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Runnemede’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 Runnemede?
By FEMA money that reached Runnemede, Hurricane Irene (2011): 29 households applied for aid, $67K approved, and $6K to the Borough of Runnemede for repairs.
Is Runnemede at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Runnemede’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Runnemede.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Runnemede’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.