Hunterdon County, New Jersey Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NJ
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 79th
Hunterdon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 78.7, 79th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $69M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hunterdon County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 78.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 79th national percentile and below the national average 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 High risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 6.95 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $50M in expected annual loss and about 3.25 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 1.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $69M in expected annual loss for a population of 129K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hunterdon 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Hunterdon County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 21 New Jersey counties, Hunterdon County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 6.95 / yr | $6M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.25 / yr | $50M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.46 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.16 / yr | $395K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 2.77 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.74 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 34.40 / yr | $732K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $2K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.89 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $20K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.66 / yr | $113K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Hunterdon County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| September 2021 | Hurricane | Remnants of Hurricane Ida |
| 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 |
| November 2011 | Severe Storm | Severe Storm |
| October 2011 | Severe Storm | Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hunterdon County?
Hunterdon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 78.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 79th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hunterdon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $6M EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $50M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hunterdon County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Hunterdon County ranks #19 of 21 New Jersey counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hunterdon County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Hunterdon County since 1965, most often 9 for hurricane events and 7 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. Hunterdon County's $69M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.