Cumberland County, New Jersey Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NJ
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Cumberland County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.6, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $44M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Cumberland County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd 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 winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $574K in expected annual loss and about 8.53 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.14 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at High risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 3.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $44M in expected annual loss for a population of 154K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cumberland County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Cumberland County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 10 for hurricane events and 6 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 21 New Jersey counties, Cumberland County ranks #17 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | High | 8.53 / yr | $574K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.14 / yr | $10M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.69 / yr | $5M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 4.87 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.79 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | High | 4.71 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $673K |
| Drought | Medium | 9.01 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 32.38 / yr | $623K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.89 / yr | $13M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.50 / yr | $200K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.25 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 1.58 / yr | $221K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $240 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Cumberland County has received 31 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Snowstorm (6), Severe Storm (5).
| 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 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
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 Cumberland County?
Cumberland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cumberland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $574K EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $10M EAL), Coastal Flood (High, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cumberland County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Cumberland County ranks #17 of 21 New Jersey counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cumberland County had?
FEMA records 31 federal disaster declarations for Cumberland County since 1965, most often 10 for hurricane events and 6 for snowstorm 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. Cumberland County's $44M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.