Photo: User ZeWrestler on en.wikipedia · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, West Windsor Township faces more hazard damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Windsor Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #357 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 74 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 West Windsor 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
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 West Windsor Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in West Windsor Township, and West Windsor Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #357 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
West Windsor Township’s residents live in 6 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, West Windsor Township has more expected damage per building than 76% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $19.2M a year in losses across West Windsor Township: $17.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does West Windsor Township flood? Sometimes: 74 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in West Windsor Township, from FEMA’s records: 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene34 claims · $3.0M
- The April 2007 nor’easter11 claims · $379K
- Hurricane Floyd4 claims · $109K
West Windsor 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: Mercer County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to West Windsor Township
Disasters that paid out in West Windsor Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to West Windsor Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$122K to West Windsor Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2012Hurricane Sandy28 households applied for aid$676K to West Windsor Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene21 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$109K to West Windsor Township for repairs34 flood claims paid for it, $3.0M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$97K to West Windsor Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$26K to West Windsor Township for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
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 West Windsor Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the West Windsor Township archive →West Windsor Township and its neighbors
West Windsor Township is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robbinsville Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Princeton | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 101 |
| Hamilton Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 247 |
| Lawrence Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 161 |
| West Windsor Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 74 |
| East Windsor Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Plainsboro Township | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Princeton Junction | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Hamilton Square | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Windsor 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in West Windsor Township
Is West Windsor Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, West Windsor Township has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #357 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does West Windsor Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 74 claims in West Windsor Township since 1978, $4.0M in all, or 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (34).
Is West Windsor 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 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 West Windsor Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for West Windsor 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 Windsor Township?
By FEMA money that reached West Windsor Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 28 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $676K to West Windsor Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 34 paid, $3.0M.
Is West Windsor Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and West Windsor Township’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in West Windsor Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where West Windsor 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.