Cape May County
New Jersey — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
Cape May County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.0, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by coastal flood and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $100M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Coastal Flood | Very High | 3.68 / yr | $31M |
| Strong Wind | Very High | 3.35 / yr | $7M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $14M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 3.53 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $39M |
| Winter Weather | High | 7.01 / yr | $384K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $844K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 29.74 / yr | $520K |
| Drought | Low | 8.01 / yr | $254K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.77 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.24 / yr | $80K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $822K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $71 |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.08 / yr | $10K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cape May County?
Cape May County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.0 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cape May County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Coastal Flood (Very High, $31M EAL), Strong Wind (Very High, $7M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cape May County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Cape May County ranks #14 of 21 New Jersey counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
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. Cape May County's $100M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.