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

Camden County Disaster Risk

Camden County, New Jersey

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

93th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#11

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 86% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Camden County, New Jersey

Camden County: moderate risk above national

Camden County scores 93.23 on the composite risk scale, positioning it above the national average with a relatively moderate overall disaster risk rating. The county's score reflects balanced exposure across flood, tornado, and other significant hazards.

Camden above New Jersey's average

At 93.23, Camden County surpasses New Jersey's state average composite risk of 90.81, placing it in the upper-middle range of state risk exposure. This reflects the county's exposure to multiple hazard types across its diverse geography.

Camden in a high-risk cluster

Camden County (93.23) sits between Burlington County (93.61) to the north and Gloucester County (86.64) to the south, with substantially higher risk than its southern neighbor. All three counties face significant flood and wildfire risks.

Camden's dominant hazards

Flood risk (95.61) and tornado risk (84.83) are Camden's primary concerns, with earthquake risk (93.83) adding notable vulnerability across the county. Wildfire risk (86.26) and hurricane risk (88.53) round out a complex multi-hazard profile.

Protection strategies for Camden

Flood insurance should be a priority in Camden County, particularly given the 95.61 flood risk score and the prevalence of low-lying areas. Additionally, review your homeowners policy for tornado and earthquake coverage, as these are often excluded or limited in standard plans.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Camden County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    96th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    94th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    89th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Camden County

Risk Verdict

With a composite score at the 93th percentile, Camden County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Camden County residents should plan accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Camden County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 94th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (89th percentile), wildfire (86th percentile), tornado (85th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk ranking at the 96th percentile nationally, Camden County residents face one of the most financially damaging hazards without specialized coverage. Flood insurance through the NFIP or a private carrier is worth evaluating regardless of current mortgage requirements. Secondary earthquake exposure at the 94th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Registering for Camden County's county emergency alert system — typically through the county emergency management office's website — ensures households receive early warning when flood events develop faster than forecast.

Regional Context

Camden County tracks the New Jersey county average closely, sitting 2.4 composite points above the state mean — neither a standout high-risk nor low-risk county within New Jersey.

Is your household prepared for Camden 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 Camden County, NJ?
Camden County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 93th 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 Camden County?
Camden County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (96th percentile), earthquake (94th percentile), hurricane (89th percentile), wildfire (86th percentile), tornado (85th 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 Camden County risk compare to the New Jersey average?
Camden County's composite risk percentile is 93th, compared to the New Jersey state average of 91th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Camden County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Jersey.
Is Camden County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Camden 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 Camden County higher risk than average?
Camden County's composite risk score of 93th percentile is above the New Jersey state average of 91th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (96th percentile), along with earthquake and hurricane and wildfire 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.