FEMA puts Sea Isle City’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sea Isle City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then coastal flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 2,367 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 stands out about Sea Isle City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sea Isle City 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
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
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 Sea Isle City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sea Isle City, and Sea Isle City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 34%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sea Isle City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.0M a year in losses across Sea Isle City: $7.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sea Isle City flood? Yes: 2,367 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sea Isle City, from FEMA’s records: 352.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy1,021 claims · $25.2M
- The December Storm - nor’easter196 claims · $1.9M
- The Winter Storm Jonas153 claims · $3.1M
Sea Isle City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Sea Isle City
Disasters that paid out in Sea Isle City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sea Isle City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy546 households applied for aid$571K aid approved1,021 flood claims paid for it, $25.2M
Cape May County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 Sea Isle City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sea Isle City archive →Sea Isle City and its neighbors
Sea Isle City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dennis Township | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Upper Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 388 |
| Middle Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 738 |
| Sea Isle City | Dmore damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 2,367 |
| Strathmere | — | 266 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 Sea Isle City 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sea Isle City residents get 35% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sea Isle City
Is Sea Isle City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sea Isle City has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and coastal flooding (34%). 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 Sea Isle City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,367 claims in Sea Isle City since 1978, $37.6M in all, or 352.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 230 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (1,021).
Is Sea Isle City 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 Cape May County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 40.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sea Isle City?
Sea Isle City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 3), which takes 35% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Sea Isle City?
By FEMA money that reached Sea Isle City, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 546 households applied for aid, $571K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 1,021 paid, $25.2M.
Is Sea Isle City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Sea Isle City’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sea Isle City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sea Isle City’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.