Salem County
New Jersey — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 77th
Salem County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.5, 77th national percentile), driven primarily by coastal flood and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $40M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Coastal Flood | Very High | 3.69 / yr | $14M |
| Strong Wind | High | 6.18 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.13 / yr | $870K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 10.48 / yr | $279K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 7.20 / yr | $989K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.10 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.85 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $14M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $168K |
| Lightning | Low | 34.48 / yr | $220K |
| Hail | Low | 2.18 / yr | $232K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $803K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.18 / yr | $751K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $136 |
| 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 Salem County?
Salem County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 77th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Salem County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Coastal Flood (Very High, $14M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $870K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Salem County compare to other New Jersey counties?
Salem County ranks #21 of 21 New Jersey counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Salem County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.