Photo: Gary Miotla · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, South Bound Brook faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Bound Brook gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #415 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). Flood insurance has paid 83 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 South Bound Brook 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
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 Bound Brook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 91% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Bound Brook, and South Bound Brook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D #415 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of South Bound Brook’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, South Bound Brook has more expected damage per building than 89% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across South Bound Brook: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Bound Brook flood? Sometimes: 83 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Bound Brook, from FEMA’s records: 44.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida24 claims · $3.8M
- Hurricane Irene22 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Floyd12 claims · $562K
South Bound Brook isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Somerset County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Bound Brook
Disasters that paid out in South Bound Brook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of South Bound Brook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida181 households applied for aid$756K aid approved$289K to the Borough of South Bound Brook for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $3.8M
- 2012Hurricane Sandy114 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$63K to the Borough of South Bound Brook for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene157 households applied for aid$443K aid approved$96K to the Borough of South Bound Brook for repairs22 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$14K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding23 households applied for aid$53K aid approved$8K to the Borough of South Bound Brook for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$30K to the Borough of South Bound Brook for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $562K
Somerset 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 Bound Brook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Bound Brook archive →South Bound Brook and its neighbors
South Bound Brook 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 188 |
| Piscataway Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 232 |
| South Bound Brook | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 83 |
| Middlesex | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 977 |
| Bound Brook | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 1,809 |
| Franklin Center | — | 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 South Bound Brook 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.
- 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 Bound Brook
Is South Bound Brook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Bound Brook has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #415 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (91%). 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 South Bound Brook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 83 claims in South Bound Brook since 1978, $6.1M in all, or 44.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (24).
Is South Bound Brook 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 Somerset County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in South Bound Brook?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Bound Brook’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 Bound Brook?
By FEMA money that reached South Bound Brook, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 181 households applied for aid, $756K approved, and $289K to the Borough of South Bound Brook for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 24 paid, $3.8M.
Is South Bound Brook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (91%), and South Bound Brook’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Bound Brook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Bound Brook’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.