Salem County, New Jersey Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NJ
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
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Salem County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 77th 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.
Most of Salem County's expected losses come from coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Very High risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 3.69 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 6.18 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $870K in expected annual loss and about 1.13 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $40M in expected annual loss for a population of 65K.
Beyond physical exposure, Salem County has a 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 federal record bears this out: Salem County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, including 9 for hurricane events and 5 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida (hurricane), declared in September 2021.
Among 21 New Jersey counties, Salem County ranks #21 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Salem County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1965, most recently Remnants of Hurricane Ida in September 2021. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Snowstorm (5), Flood (3).
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 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.
How many federally declared disasters has Salem County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Salem County since 1965, most often 9 for hurricane events and 5 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. Salem County's $40M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.