Enter any address in Cape May County, New Jersey to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding is the dominant flood character in Cape May County, New Jersey, with 145 coastal flood events recorded in the last 30 years, alongside 57 storm surge/tide events. For example, on October 12, 2025, a coastal storm pushed water towards the shoreline and into back bays, causing moderate to locally major high tide levels. Similarly, on August 21, 2025, storm surge from Hurricane Erin contributed to moderate to locally major high tide levels.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a significant number of claims in Zone A (22,463 claims), with an average payout of $14,601 and an average water depth of 1.8 feet. Zone V also shows claims with higher average payouts ($15,483) but lower average water depth (1.0 ft). Homeowners in coastal areas, properties adjacent to back bays, and those located in Zone A or Zone V should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
51 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cape May County, New Jersey has recorded 301 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods and 63 river or area floods. The county has received 34 federal disaster declarations, 6 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2021 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Jan 31, 2021 |
| Tropical Storm Isaias | Hurricane | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Severe Storm | Jan 22, 2016 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storm | Severe Storm | Oct 29, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 26, 2010 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 31, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Aug 21, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 12, 2025 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 20, 2024 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Nov 15, 2024 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Feb 13, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 26, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Sep 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Jun 3, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 31, 2025
A stationary front sparked off showers and thunderstorms across the forecast area. Flash flooding resulted.
Coastal Flood — Aug 21, 2025
Storm surge from Hurricane Erin and an upcoming New Moon resulted in moderate to locally major high tide levels on the night of August 21, 2025 across coastal areas of New Jersey.
Coastal Flood — Oct 12, 2025
A powerful coastal storm sat off the New Jersey coast, with strong winds pushing water towards the shoreline and into the back bays of New Jersey. Moderate to locally major high tide levels were observed along the coast. Tidal flooding continued over multiple high tide cycles.
Coastal Flood — Sep 20, 2024
A prolonged period of onshore flow due to an offshore coastal storm + a full moon resulted in higher tides and moderate coastal flooding in some communities of coastal New Jersey.
Coastal Flood — Nov 15, 2024
High astronomical tides associated with the full moon and a light onshore flow brought some moderate tidal flooding to the New Jersey coast.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Cape May County, New Jersey:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Cape May County, New Jersey that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.