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

Warren County Disaster Risk

Warren County, New Jersey

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

81th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#18

of 21 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

87th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 50% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 71% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Warren County, New Jersey

Warren's risk sits modestly below national average

Warren County scores 80.76 on the composite risk scale, earning a relatively low risk rating that falls below national averages for comparable counties. This favorable standing reflects Warren's generally moderate exposure to natural disasters, making it a relatively safer choice within its region.

Warren ranks well below New Jersey's average

At 80.76, Warren scores considerably below New Jersey's state average of 90.81, placing it in the lower half of the state's risk distribution. This below-average standing positions Warren as one of the safer counties for natural disaster exposure statewide.

Warren matches Sussex and Salem in safety

Warren (80.76) aligns closely with Sussex (77.45) and Salem (76.53) in relative safety, forming a lower-risk zone in northwestern and southern New Jersey. All three counties significantly outperform Somerset (90.94) and especially Union (95.48).

Flooding and hurricanes lead Warren's hazards

Flood risk registers at 86.55 in Warren County, reflecting vulnerability near river systems and seasonal precipitation events. Hurricane exposure reaches 79.93, while tornado and wildfire risks remain comparatively low at 49.68 and 23.44 respectively.

Secure flood and wind protection early

Warren residents should obtain flood insurance given the county's 86.55 flood risk score, particularly those near waterways and flood-prone zones. Homeowners should also review wind and hurricane coverage in standard policies to ensure adequate protection during severe storm seasons.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Warren County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    HurricanePrepare
    80th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    71th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Warren County

Risk Verdict

Warren County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 81th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Warren County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (71th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Warren County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, hurricane exposure at the 80th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Warren County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.

Regional Context

The New Jersey county average exceeds Warren County's score by 10.1 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Warren 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 Warren County, NJ?
Warren County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 81th 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 Warren County?
Warren County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (87th percentile), hurricane (80th percentile), earthquake (71th percentile), tornado (50th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 87th 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 Warren County risk compare to the New Jersey average?
Warren County's composite risk percentile is 81th, compared to the New Jersey state average of 91th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Moderate. This means Warren County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in New Jersey.
Is Warren County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Warren County's flooding risk is at the 87th 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.
Is Warren County a safe place to live?
Warren County's composite risk score of 81th percentile is below the New Jersey state average of 91th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is flooding at the 87th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.