riskbycounty
FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Burlington County Disaster Risk

Burlington County, New Jersey

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

94th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#10

of 21 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

96th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 96% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Burlington County, New Jersey

Burlington County: moderate risk, above average

Burlington County's composite risk score of 93.61 places it above the national average, with a relatively moderate overall risk rating across multiple hazard types. The county faces meaningful but manageable exposure to natural disasters compared to higher-risk regions.

Burlington ranks above New Jersey average

At 93.61, Burlington County exceeds the New Jersey state average of 90.81, placing it solidly above the middle of the state's risk distribution. This reflects the county's diverse exposure to both coastal and inland hazards.

Burlington among mid-range counties

Burlington County (93.61) sits between Atlantic County (92.97) to the east and Camden County (93.23) to the south, forming a cluster of moderately high-risk counties in central New Jersey. All three counties share substantial flood and wildfire exposure.

Burlington's top three threats

Flood risk (96.41) and wildfire risk (92.21) are Burlington's most acute hazards, reflecting both coastal and inland vulnerabilities across the county. Tornado risk (78.24) and earthquake risk (92.02) add secondary but important concerns for residents.

Insurance priorities for Burlington

Flood insurance is essential for Burlington County residents, especially those in low-lying or coastal areas, given the 96.41 flood risk score. Review your standard homeowners policy for tornado and earthquake coverage gaps, and consider supplemental protection if needed.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Burlington County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    92th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    92th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Risk Advisory: Burlington County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard risk in Burlington County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 94th. Burlington County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Burlington County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 92th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (92th percentile), hurricane (89th percentile), tornado (78th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood ranked as the primary hazard at the 96th percentile nationally, Burlington County households should build a go-bag that includes important documents, medications, and supplies to sustain the family for at least three days if evacuation is needed. Alongside flooding, wildfire exposure at the 92th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. A waterproof container for documents (insurance policies, ID, prescriptions) and a clear household communication plan for when phone networks are congested are the two highest-value low-cost preparedness steps for Burlington County households.

Regional Context

Burlington County's composite risk score is within 2.8 points of the New Jersey county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Burlington County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Burlington County, NJ?
Burlington County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 94th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Burlington County?
Burlington County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (96th percentile), wildfire (92th percentile), earthquake (92th percentile), hurricane (89th percentile), tornado (78th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 96th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Burlington County risk compare to the New Jersey average?
Burlington County's composite risk percentile is 94th, compared to the New Jersey state average of 91th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Burlington County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Jersey.
Is Burlington County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Burlington County's flooding risk is at the 96th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Burlington County higher risk than average?
Burlington County's composite risk score of 94th percentile is above the New Jersey state average of 91th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (96th percentile), along with wildfire and earthquake and hurricane and tornado risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.