Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Bloomfield as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1979.
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 Bloomfield 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
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 Bloomfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bloomfield, and Bloomfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bloomfield’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $426K a year in losses across Bloomfield: $319K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bloomfield flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bloomfield, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Bloomfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Perry County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Bloomfield
Disasters that paid out in Bloomfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Bloomfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Tropical Depression Ivan1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
Perry County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bloomfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bloomfield archive →Get ready for what Bloomfield 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.
- 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 Bloomfield
Is Bloomfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bloomfield has lower expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Bloomfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Bloomfield since 1979, $2K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Bloomfield 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 Perry County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bloomfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bloomfield’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 Bloomfield?
By FEMA money that reached Bloomfield, Tropical Depression Ivan (2004): 1 households applied for aid, $1K approved.
Is Bloomfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Bloomfield’s rate for it is higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bloomfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bloomfield’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.