Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in South Plainfield than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Plainfield gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #289 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 353 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 Plainfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South Plainfield 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
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 Plainfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in South Plainfield, and South Plainfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #289 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South Plainfield’s residents live in 7 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 Plainfield has more expected damage per building than 62% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.9M a year in losses across South Plainfield: $9.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South Plainfield flood? Yes: 353 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South Plainfield, from FEMA’s records: 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene84 claims · $2.2M
- Hurricane Ida55 claims · $3.0M
- The 2025 July NYC Metro Area Flooding44 claims · $2.0M
South Plainfield 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 Plainfield
Disasters that paid out in South Plainfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of South Plainfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida595 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$373K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs55 flood claims paid for it, $3.0M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$93K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy433 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$571K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$96K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene407 households applied for aid$953K aid approved$195K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs84 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$73K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding87 households applied for aid$155K aid approved$80K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding90 households applied for aid$98K aid approved$69K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs38 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$50K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs37 flood claims paid for it, $543K
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 Plainfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South Plainfield archive →South Plainfield and its neighbors
South Plainfield 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edison Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 154 |
| South Plainfield | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 353 |
| Piscataway Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 232 |
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 Plainfield 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.
- 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 Plainfield
Is South Plainfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South Plainfield has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #289 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and earthquakes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South Plainfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 353 claims in South Plainfield since 1978, $10.2M in all, or 41.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 63 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (84).
Is South Plainfield 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 Plainfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South Plainfield’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 Plainfield?
By FEMA money that reached South Plainfield, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 595 households applied for aid, $1.7M approved, and $373K to the Borough of South Plainfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 84 paid, $2.2M.
Is South Plainfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and South Plainfield’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South Plainfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South Plainfield’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.