Ventnor City Hall · Photo: Smallbones · CC0FEMA puts Ventnor City’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 92% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ventnor City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #446 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then coastal flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 3,403 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 Ventnor City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Ventnor City 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
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
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 Ventnor City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ventnor City, and Ventnor City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 29%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #446 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ventnor City’s residents live in 4 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, Ventnor City has more expected damage per building than 95% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.2M a year in losses across Ventnor City: $6.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ventnor City flood? Yes: 3,403 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ventnor City, from FEMA’s records: 410.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy2,010 claims · $78.9M
- The December Storm - nor’easter606 claims · $6.2M
- Hurricane Gloria135 claims · $655K
Ventnor City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Atlantic County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ventnor City
Disasters that paid out in Ventnor City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Ventnor City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy3,174 households applied for aid$7.4M aid approved2,010 flood claims paid for it, $78.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene180 households applied for aid$36K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $73K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding4 households applied for aid$222 aid approved12 flood claims paid that year
Atlantic County has had 28 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 Ventnor City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ventnor City archive →Ventnor City and its neighbors
Ventnor City is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Harbor Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 778 |
| Atlantic City | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 5,161 |
| Margate City | Dmore damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 2,669 |
| Ventnor City | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3,403 |
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 Ventnor City 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ventnor City residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Ventnor City
Is Ventnor City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ventnor City has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #446 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and coastal flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ventnor City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,403 claims in Ventnor City since 1978, $90.7M in all, or 410.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 195 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (2,010).
Is Ventnor City 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 Atlantic County, 94% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ventnor City?
Ventnor City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Ventnor City?
By FEMA money that reached Ventnor City, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 3,174 households applied for aid, $7.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 2,010 paid, $78.9M.
Is Ventnor City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Ventnor City’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ventnor City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ventnor City’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.