Mount Airy Historic District · Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0West Amwell Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Amwell Township gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #187 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1992.
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 West Amwell 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
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 West Amwell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Amwell Township, and West Amwell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #187 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of West Amwell Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, West Amwell Township has less expected damage per building than 60% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across West Amwell Township: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Amwell Township flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Amwell Township, from FEMA’s records: 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene4 claims · $80K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $12K
- Hurricane Ida1 claim · $28K
West Amwell 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: Hunterdon County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Amwell Township
Disasters that paid out in West Amwell Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Amwell Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$359K to West Amwell Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $28K
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to West Amwell Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$30K to West Amwell Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$6K to West Amwell Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$44K to West Amwell Township for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $80K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$6K to West Amwell Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
Hunterdon County has had 18 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 West Amwell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Amwell Township archive →West Amwell Township and its neighbors
West Amwell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Amwell Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| East Amwell Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Solebury Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 199 |
| Hopewell Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Delaware Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Lambertville | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 428 |
| Ringoes | — | 934 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 West Amwell 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.
- 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 West Amwell Township
Is West Amwell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Amwell Township has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #187 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and strong wind (9%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Amwell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in West Amwell Township since 1992, $153K in all, or 9.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (4).
Is West Amwell 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 Hunterdon County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in West Amwell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Amwell 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 West Amwell Township?
By FEMA money that reached West Amwell Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): $359K to West Amwell Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 4 paid, $80K.
Is West Amwell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and West Amwell Township’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Amwell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Amwell 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.