Photo: Smallbones · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Salem than in 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #456 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (59%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 18 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 Salem faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
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 Salem’s grade
Coastal flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Salem, and Salem’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #456 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Salem’s residents live in 3 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, Salem has more expected damage per building than 97% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Salem: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Salem flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Salem, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $11K
- Hurricane Isaias2 claims · $11K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $14K
Salem isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Salem County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Salem
Disasters that paid out in Salem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Salem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$34K to the City of Salem for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $11K
- 2012Hurricane Sandy92 households applied for aid$227K aid approved$54K to the City of Salem for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$14K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene132 households applied for aid$206K aid approved$44K to the City of Salem for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $11K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to the City of Salem for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$11K to the City of Salem for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Salem County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Salem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Salem archive →Salem and its neighbors
Salem is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Mannington Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Pennsville Township | Dmore damage than 92% | coastal flooding | 167 |
| Elsinboro Township | Dmore damage than 95% | coastal flooding | 32 |
| Salem | Dmore damage than 95% | coastal flooding | 18 |
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 Salem faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Salem
Is Salem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Salem has higher expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #456 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (59%) and river and rain flooding (34%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Salem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Salem since 1978, $141K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Salem 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 Salem County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Salem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Salem’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 Salem?
By FEMA money that reached Salem, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 92 households applied for aid, $227K approved, and $54K to the City of Salem for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $11K.
Is Salem at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Salem’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Salem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Salem’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.