HazardFacts

All states › New Jersey › Cape May County

Natural hazard risk in Cape May County, New Jersey

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Moderate (score 91.0 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$99.7 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1965
31[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$414.6 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
11[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates overall natural hazard risk in Cape May County Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores in this county are coastal flooding, strong wind and hurricane[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Cape May County at $99.7 million a year[1]. This is a FEMA estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid. FEMA's sorted loss values show the largest are inland flooding, coastal flooding and hurricane, in that order[7]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability Relatively Low, which describes how susceptible social groups are to harm from natural hazards[8]. FEMA rates Community Resilience Very High, which describes a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[9]. The index does not predict next year's losses[10].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Coastal FloodingVery High$30.7 million[11]
Strong WindVery High$6.7 million[12]
HurricaneRelatively Moderate$14.2 million[13]
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$4.0 million[14]
Inland FloodingRelatively Moderate$38.9 million[15]
Winter WeatherRelatively High$384,000[16]
WildfireRelatively Low$844,000[17]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$1.1 million[18]
LightningRelatively Moderate$520,000[19]
DroughtRelatively Low$254,000[20]
Cold WaveRelatively Low$1.0 million[21]
Ice StormRelatively Low$80,000[22]
TornadoRelatively Low$822,000[23]
LandslideVery Low$71[24]
HailVery Low$9,648[25]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, volcanic activity[26].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Low37.2[8]
Community resilienceVery High98.8[9]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates coastal flooding risk Very High compared with other US counties[11]. FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate[15]. OpenFEMA data as of 2026-08-03 list 25,975 residential flood insurance contracts in force in the county[27]. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 24,098 contracts for 32,391 residential structures, a rate of 74.4%[27]. OpenFEMA records 28,016 NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $414.6 million in total[3]. To learn about a specific address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[28].

Measure Value
Coastal Flooding, FEMA risk rating[11] Very High, $30.7 million expected loss a year
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[15] Relatively Moderate, $38.9 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[27] 25,975 of 64,831 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[27] 32,391, of which 24,098 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 28,016 filed, $414.6 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[28]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 31 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Cape May County since 1965[2]. Hurricane declarations number 10, the most of any incident type[2]. The most recent listed is DR-4614-NJ for the remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared 2021-09-05[29]. NOAA's tornado database records 11 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated F2[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Cape May County, since 1965
Incident type Declarations
Hurricane[2] 10
Snowstorm[2] 6
Severe Storm[2] 5
Flood[2] 4
Drought[2] 2
Coastal Storm[2] 2
Fire[2] 1
Severe Ice Storm[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
DR-4614-NJ[29] Remnants Of Hurricane Ida 2021-09-05
EM-3573-NJ[29] Remnants Of Hurricane Ida 2021-09-02
DR-4597-NJ[29] Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm 2021-04-28
DR-4574-NJ[29] Tropical Storm Isaias 2020-12-11
DR-4264-NJ[29] Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm 2016-03-14

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Floods

Before

  • Check your flood risk with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and remember that floods do not follow map lines.
  • Sign up for your community's warning system. NOAA Weather Radio also broadcasts alerts.
  • Buy flood insurance through the NFIP well before a disaster. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding, and a new policy typically takes up to 30 days to go into effect.
  • Make a household plan with evacuation routes, shelter locations and what to do in a flash flood.
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container and make password-protected digital copies.

During

  • If you are told to evacuate, leave right away and never drive around barricades.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock you down.
  • If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, floods

Hurricanes

Before

  • Know your hurricane risk, including rain, wind and tornadoes far inland from landfall.
  • Learn your evacuation zone and routes, and practice them with your household and pets.
  • Keep insurance policies and ID current, with password-protected digital copies.
  • Clear drains and gutters, bring in outdoor furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
  • Keep your phone charged, buy backup chargers and gather supplies, including medication and pet supplies.

During

  • If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and officials order an evacuation, leave right away.
  • For high winds, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
  • If you are trapped by flooding, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, hurricanes

Extreme heat

Before

  • Learn the signs of heat illness and how to respond.
  • Do not rely on a fan as your main way to stay cool. Fans do not lower body temperature.
  • Find cool public places, such as libraries or malls, or ask your local health department.
  • Keep heat out with window shades, weather stripping and insulation.
  • If you cannot afford cooling costs, contact LIHEAP for help.

During

  • Never leave a person or an animal in a parked car in warm weather.
  • If your home has no air conditioning, go to a cooling center.
  • Wear light, loose clothing, drink plenty of fluids and avoid hard outdoor work in the middle of the day.

Source: Ready.gov, extreme heat

Questions people ask

Is Cape May County at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates coastal flooding risk Very High and inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[11][15]. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center shows flood zones for a specific address[28].
Does Cape May County get tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 11 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Low compared with other US counties[23].
Is Cape May County at risk of hurricanes?
FEMA rates hurricane risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[13]. OpenFEMA lists 10 hurricane declarations that include the county since 1965[2].
How many disasters have been declared in Cape May County?
OpenFEMA lists 31 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include the county since 1965[2].
How do I check my flood zone?
Look up the address in FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[28].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Cape May County is $99.7 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Moderate, score 90.6). Of this, buildings account for $91.0 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $8.3... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 31 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Cape May County since 1965 (21 major disaster, 10 emergency or fire management). By incident type: hurricane 10, snowstorm 6, severe storm 5, flood 4, drought 2, coastal storm 2, fire 1, severe ice storm... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 28,016 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Cape May County, 22,721 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $414.6 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 11 recorded tornadoes touched Cape May County. The strongest were rated F2 (most recent of them on 1971-08-27). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2021-07-09. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Cape May County is Relatively Moderate, with a Risk Index score of 91.0 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Cape May County are coastal flooding (99.4, Very High), strong wind (98.5, Very High), hurricane (93.1, Relatively Moderate). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published scores;... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Cape May County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($38.9 million a year), coastal flooding ($30.7 million a year), hurricane ($14.2 million a year), out of $99.7 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  8. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Cape May County is Relatively Low (score 37.2). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Cape May County is Very High (score 98.8). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), coastal flooding in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Very High (score 99.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $30.7 million a year (rating Very High). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 3.6775 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Very High (score 98.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $6.7 million a year (rating Very High). Annualized frequency 3.35 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 93.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $14.2 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 0.18 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172... FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 92.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $4.0 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 3.53 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 89.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $38.9 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 1.64 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 88.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $384,000 a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 7.01 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 86.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $844,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.002 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 73.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.1 million a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0011 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 70.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $520,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 29.74 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 57.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $254,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 8.01 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 50.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.0 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.77 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 47.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $80,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.24 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 38.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $822,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.17 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 15.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $71 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Cape May County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 4.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $9,648 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 1.08 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  26. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Cape May County: avalanche, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered geographically possible there. FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  27. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 25,975 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Cape May County, out of 64,831 residential structures, a penetration rate of 40.1%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 32,391 residential structures and 24,098... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  28. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  29. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.