Atlantic County, New Jersey Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NJ
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Atlantic County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.0, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $123M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Atlantic County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 93.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 93rd national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $15M in expected annual loss and about 4.18 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $947K in expected annual loss and about 8.57 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Very High risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 3.67 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $123M in expected annual loss for a population of 274K.
Beyond physical exposure, Atlantic County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Atlantic County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for hurricane events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 21 New Jersey counties, Atlantic County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 4.18 / yr | $15M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 8.57 / yr | $947K |
| Coastal Flood | Very High | 3.67 / yr | $14M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.17 / yr | $26M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.11 / yr | $50M |
| Lightning | High | 30.89 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.55 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 8.96 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.78 / yr | $4M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $174K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.20 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 1.37 / yr | $227K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $539 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Atlantic County has received 36 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Severe Storm (8), Snowstorm (6).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| December 2020 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| March 2016 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| July 2015 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 36 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Atlantic County?
Atlantic County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Atlantic County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $15M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $947K EAL), Coastal Flood (Very High, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Atlantic County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Atlantic County ranks #12 of 21 New Jersey counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Atlantic County had?
FEMA records 36 federal disaster declarations for Atlantic County since 1965, most often 10 for hurricane events and 8 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared in September 2021.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Atlantic County's $123M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.