Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, South River faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South River gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #182 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 371 claims here since 1980.
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 River’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What South River 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 River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in South River, and South River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #182 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
South River’s residents live in 3 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 River has less expected damage per building than 61% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across South River: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does South River flood? Yes: 371 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in South River, from FEMA’s records: 64.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy143 claims · $11.3M
- The March 2010 nor’easter66 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Irene60 claims · $816K
South River 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to South River
Disasters that paid out in South River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of South River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida91 households applied for aid$105K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$95K to the Borough of South River for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy850 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$1.7M to the Borough of South River for repairs143 flood claims paid for it, $11.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene99 households applied for aid$167K aid approved$46K to the Borough of South River for repairs60 flood claims paid for it, $816K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$37K to the Borough of South River for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding95 households applied for aid$222K aid approved$79K to the Borough of South River for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding15 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$8K to the Borough of South River for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$10K to the Borough of South River for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $7K
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 River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the South River archive →South River and its neighbors
South River 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sayreville | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 324 |
| South River | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 371 |
| East Brunswick Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
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 River 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 River
Is South River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, South River has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #182 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does South River flood?
Flood insurance has paid 371 claims in South River since 1980, $14.4M in all, or 64.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 52 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (143).
Is South River 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 River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for South River’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 River?
By FEMA money that reached South River, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 850 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $1.7M to the Borough of South River for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 143 paid, $11.3M.
Is South River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and South River’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in South River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where South River’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.