Photo: Freeholdman12 · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in South Brunswick Township than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Brunswick Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #96 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%). Flood insurance has paid 42 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 South Brunswick Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Brunswick Township 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 Brunswick Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Brunswick Township, and South Brunswick Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #96 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Brunswick Township’s residents live in 9 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 Brunswick Township has less expected damage per building than 80% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.7M a year in losses across South Brunswick Township: $15.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Brunswick Township flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Brunswick Township, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene11 claims · $274K
- Hurricane Ida6 claims · $107K
- The April 2007 nor’easter4 claims · $22K
South Brunswick Township 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South Brunswick Township
Disasters that paid out in South Brunswick Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to South Brunswick Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$21K to South Brunswick Township for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $107K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$158K to South Brunswick Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$803K to South Brunswick Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2011Severe Storm$134K to South Brunswick Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$160K to South Brunswick Township for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $274K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$105K to South Brunswick Township for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$108K to South Brunswick Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$66K to South Brunswick Township for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$53K to South Brunswick Township for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $14K
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 Brunswick Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Brunswick Township archive →South Brunswick Township and its neighbors
South Brunswick Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Brunswick Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 42 |
| North Brunswick Township | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| East Brunswick Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Franklin Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 188 |
| Cranbury Township | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Plainsboro Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Deans | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Princeton Meadows | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Heathcote | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Monmouth Junction | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| East Rocky Hill | — | 235 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 South Brunswick Township 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 Brunswick Township
Is South Brunswick Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Brunswick Township has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #96 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (70%) and earthquakes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Brunswick Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in South Brunswick Township since 1978, $520K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (11).
Is South Brunswick Township 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 Brunswick Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Brunswick Township’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 Brunswick Township?
By FEMA money that reached South Brunswick Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 4 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $803K to South Brunswick Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 11 paid, $274K.
Is South Brunswick Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and South Brunswick Township’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Brunswick Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Brunswick Township’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.