riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Somerset County Disaster Risk

Somerset County, New Jersey

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

91th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#15

of 21 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

95th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% 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 83% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Somerset County

Risk Verdict

Somerset 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 Somerset County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 89th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (83th), tornado (72th), wildfire (35th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Somerset 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 earthquake 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

Somerset County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in New Jersey. Its composite risk score is within 0.1 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 Somerset County, NJ?
Somerset 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 Somerset County?
Somerset County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (95th percentile), earthquake (89th percentile), hurricane (83th percentile), tornado (72th percentile), wildfire (35th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 95th 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 Somerset County risk compare to the New Jersey average?
Somerset 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 Somerset County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Jersey.
Is Somerset County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Somerset County's flooding risk is at the 95th 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 Somerset County higher risk than average?
Somerset 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 (95th percentile), along with 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.

Counties with Similar Risk

Cape May County

New Jersey

+0.1

Relatively Moderate

91th percentile

Morris County

New Jersey

+1.9

Relatively Moderate

93th percentile

Atlantic County

New Jersey

+2.0

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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