Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Hopewell Township faces less hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopewell Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2008.
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 Hopewell 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Hail
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 Hopewell Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hopewell Township, and Hopewell Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hopewell Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $450K a year in losses across Hopewell Township: $318K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hopewell Township flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hopewell Township, from FEMA’s records: 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter storms1 claim · $22K
Hopewell 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.The storms Hopewell Township remembers
None of the 11 disasters declared for Mercer County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Hopewell Township itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20081 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20111 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20151 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Mercer County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hopewell Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hopewell Township archive →Hopewell Township and its neighbors
Hopewell Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hopewell Township | A−less damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| Jefferson Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Dublin Township | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Liberty Township | — | not graded yet | |
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 Hopewell 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Hopewell Township
Is Hopewell Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hopewell Township has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hopewell Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Hopewell Township since 2008, $68K in all, or 11.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Late winter storms (1).
Is Hopewell 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, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hopewell Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hopewell 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 Hopewell Township?
By flood claims, Late winter storms: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Hopewell Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Hopewell Township’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hopewell Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hopewell 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.