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 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Amboy than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Amboy gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #51 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then earthquakes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 2010.
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 South Amboy’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Amboy 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
Strong wind
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 South Amboy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Amboy, and South Amboy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #51 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Amboy’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, South Amboy has less expected damage per building than 89% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across South Amboy: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Amboy flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Amboy, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy32 claims · $1.9M
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $15K
- The March 2010 nor’easter1 claim · $3K
South Amboy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Middlesex County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Amboy
Disasters that paid out in South Amboy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of South Amboy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida75 households applied for aid$99K aid approved
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$69K to the City of South Amboy for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,030 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$2.3M to the City of South Amboy for repairs32 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene95 households applied for aid$164K aid approved$86K to the City of South Amboy for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $15K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$66K to the City of South Amboy for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$145K to the City of South Amboy for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Middlesex County has had 22 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 South Amboy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Amboy archive →South Amboy and its neighbors
South Amboy is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Amboy | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| South Amboy | A−less damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Sayreville | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 324 |
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 South Amboy 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 South Amboy
Is South Amboy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Amboy has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #51 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and earthquakes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Amboy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in South Amboy since 2010, $2.0M in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (32).
Is South Amboy 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 Middlesex County, 54% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Amboy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Amboy’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 South Amboy?
By FEMA money that reached South Amboy, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 1,030 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $2.3M to the City of South Amboy for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 32 paid, $1.9M.
Is South Amboy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and South Amboy’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Amboy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Amboy’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.