Burlington County, New Jersey Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NJ
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 94th
Burlington County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.6, 94th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $176M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Burlington County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 93.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 94th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Very High risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 5.48 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.92 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.85 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $176M in expected annual loss for a population of 462K.
Beyond physical exposure, Burlington County has a very low 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: Burlington County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 21 New Jersey counties, Burlington County ranks #10 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Very High | 5.48 / yr | $9M |
| Winter Weather | Very High | 9.92 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very High | 0.85 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.18 / yr | $122M |
| Lightning | High | 32.87 / yr | $2M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 9.30 / yr | $6M |
| Wildfire | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.00 / yr | $9M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.15 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $5M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 4.77 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Medium | 7.56 / yr | $740K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $4K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.84 / yr | $166K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Burlington County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Severe Storm (6), 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 |
| June 2018 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 31 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Burlington County?
Burlington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 94th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Burlington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Very High, $9M EAL), Winter Weather (Very High, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Burlington County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Burlington County ranks #10 of 21 New Jersey counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Burlington County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Burlington County since 1965, most often 9 for hurricane events and 6 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. Burlington County's $176M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.