Gloucester County Disaster Risk
Gloucester County, New Jersey
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
87th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#16
of 21 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
88th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 89% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Gloucester County, New Jersey
Gloucester County: moderate risk below average
Gloucester County scores 86.64 on the composite risk scale, placing it below the national average with a relatively moderate overall disaster risk rating. The county's lower score reflects reduced but still meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazards.
Gloucester below New Jersey average
At 86.64, Gloucester County sits below New Jersey's state average composite risk of 90.81, making it one of the state's lower-risk counties. This positions Gloucester among New Jersey's safer communities in terms of disaster exposure.
Gloucester safer than surrounding counties
Gloucester County (86.64) has substantially lower risk than Camden County (93.23) to the north and Cape May County (91.03) to the east, making it a safer zone in southern New Jersey. All three counties share some flood exposure, but Gloucester's overall vulnerability is noticeably lower.
Gloucester's primary hazard threats
Hurricane risk (83.73) and earthquake risk (89.31) are Gloucester's highest hazards, though both remain below the state average in intensity. Flood risk (87.91) and wildfire risk (79.68) present secondary concerns, while tornado risk (69.56) is comparatively lower than in many other New Jersey counties.
Insurance strategy for Gloucester
While Gloucester faces lower overall risk than many New Jersey counties, flood insurance should still be considered—particularly if your property is in a low-lying or waterfront area. Review your homeowners policy to ensure it covers hurricane wind and water damage appropriate to your location.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Gloucester County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Gloucester County
Risk Verdict
Gloucester County's overall risk score at the 87th percentile nationally signals meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazard types. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.
Hazard Breakdown
Earthquake risk is Gloucester County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 89th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 88th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (84th percentile), wildfire (80th percentile), tornado (70th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Gloucester County ranks at the 89th percentile nationally for earthquake risk. Unlike most natural hazards, earthquakes provide no advance warning; preparedness here means structural adjustments and a practiced response, not alert monitoring. The county's flood risk at the 88th percentile nationally is a seasonal consideration alongside the year-round earthquake threat, requiring awareness of both hazard types. For earthquake preparedness, Gloucester County's county emergency management office often maintains a list of community water supply points, Red Cross shelter locations, and post-quake assistance programs — useful resources to identify before an event occurs.
Regional Context
The county's composite score diverges by only 4.2 points from the New Jersey average, making Gloucester County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Gloucester County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Gloucester County, NJ?
What types of natural hazards affect Gloucester County?
How does Gloucester County risk compare to the New Jersey average?
Is Gloucester County at risk for earthquake?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Gloucester County a safe place to live?
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.