Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Trenton faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trenton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #398 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 830 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 Trenton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Trenton 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
Hurricanes
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 Trenton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Trenton, and Trenton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #398 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Trenton’s residents live in 25 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, Trenton has more expected damage per building than 85% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $36.3M a year in losses across Trenton: $29.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Trenton flood? Yes: 830 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Trenton, from FEMA’s records: 24.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain45 claims · $718K
- Hurricane Irene44 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Floyd20 claims · $2.0M
Trenton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Mercer County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Trenton
Disasters that paid out in Trenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Trenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1,310 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $467K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$242K to the City of Trenton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy1,416 households applied for aid$294K aid approved$363K to the City of Trenton for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$114K to the City of Trenton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene1,605 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$269K to the City of Trenton for repairs44 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$69K to the City of Trenton for repairs
Show all 12
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding122 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$13K to the City of Trenton for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding245 households applied for aid$199K aid approved$455K to the City of Trenton for repairs204 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding220 households applied for aid$350K aid approved175 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding175 households applied for aid$277K aid approved$193K to the City of Trenton for repairs115 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$170K to the City of Trenton for repairs20 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
Mercer County has had 20 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 Trenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Trenton archive →Trenton and its neighbors
Trenton is 7th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falls Township | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 117 |
| Lower Makefield Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 186 |
| Hamilton Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 247 |
| Morrisville | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Lawrence Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 161 |
| Ewing Township | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 375 |
| Trenton | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 830 |
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 Trenton 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.
- 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.
- 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 Trenton
Is Trenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Trenton has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #398 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Trenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 830 claims in Trenton since 1978, $16.3M in all, or 24.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 189 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (45).
Is Trenton 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 Mercer County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Trenton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Trenton’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 Trenton?
By FEMA money that reached Trenton, Hurricane Irene (2011): 1,605 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $269K to the City of Trenton for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 45 paid, $718K.
Is Trenton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Trenton’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Trenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Trenton’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.