riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Cape May County Disaster Risk

Cape May County, New Jersey

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#14

of 21 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

99th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 99% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Cape May County

Risk Verdict

Cape May County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Cape May County, scoring in the 99th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 93th percentile. Additional hazards include wildfire (86th), earthquake (74th), tornado (38th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Cape May County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as hurricane also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Cape May County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in New Jersey. Its composite risk score is within 0.2 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of New Jersey as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Cape May County, NJ?
Cape May County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 91th 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 Cape May County?
Cape May County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (99th percentile), hurricane (93th percentile), wildfire (86th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), tornado (38th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 99th 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 Cape May County risk compare to the New Jersey average?
Cape May County's composite risk percentile is 91th, compared to the New Jersey state average of 91th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Cape May County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Jersey.
Is Cape May County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Cape May County's flooding risk is at the 99th 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 Cape May County higher risk than average?
Cape May County's composite risk score of 91th percentile is above the New Jersey state average of 91th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (99th percentile), along with hurricane and wildfire and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Somerset County

New Jersey

-0.1

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Morris County

New Jersey

+1.8

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Atlantic County

New Jersey

+1.9

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.

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