Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page, my Commons user talk page, or my English Wikipedia user talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Somers Point faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somers Point gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #322 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 268 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 Somers Point’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Somers Point 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
Hurricanes
Coastal 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 Somers Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somers Point, and Somers Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 17%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C #322 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somers Point’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, Somers Point has more expected damage per building than 69% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Somers Point: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somers Point flood? Yes: 268 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somers Point, from FEMA’s records: 47.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy132 claims · $5.3M
- The December Storm - nor’easter49 claims · $551K
- Hurricane Irene10 claims · $185K
Somers Point is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Somers Point
Disasters that paid out in Somers Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Somers Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$98K to the City of Somers Point for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy369 households applied for aid$689K aid approved$782K to the City of Somers Point for repairs132 flood claims paid for it, $5.3M
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$165K to the City of Somers Point for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene129 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$28K to the City of Somers Point for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $185K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to the City of Somers Point for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$38K to the City of Somers Point for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$41K to the City of Somers Point for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$28K to the City of Somers Point for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$56K to the City of Somers Point for repairs
Atlantic County has had 28 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 Somers Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somers Point archive →Somers Point and its neighbors
Somers Point is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Upper Township | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 388 |
| Somers Point | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 268 |
| Linwood | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 59 |
| Ocean City | D−more damage than 96% | coastal flooding | 7,807 |
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 Somers Point 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Somers Point residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Somers Point
Is Somers Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somers Point has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #322 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Somers Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 268 claims in Somers Point since 1979, $6.5M in all, or 47.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (132).
Is Somers Point 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 Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Somers Point?
Somers Point is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Somers Point?
By FEMA money that reached Somers Point, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 369 households applied for aid, $689K approved, and $782K to the City of Somers Point for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 132 paid, $5.3M.
Is Somers Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Somers Point’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somers Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somers Point’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.