Enter any address in Salem County, New Jersey to see its FEMA flood zone
Coastal flooding, driven by strong southerly winds and high tides, is a significant flood character for Salem County. Recent events on January 10, 2024, and April 11, 2024, illustrate this, with water inundating areas along the Delaware River and Bay, and within back bays due to southerly flow preventing drainage. Flash flooding from heavy rainfall also occurs, with 30 events recorded in the last 30 years.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows a substantial number of claims in Zone A, averaging over $13,000 in payouts and 1.7 feet of water depth. While other zones like X_SHADED and X_UNSHADED have fewer claims, they still experience flooding with average payouts exceeding $3,900 and $4,600 respectively. Residents in coastal areas, along tidal rivers and bays, and those in areas designated as Zone A should pay the most attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Salem County, New Jersey has recorded 103 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 30 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 26 federal disaster declarations, 3 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 |
| Tropical Storm Isaias | Hurricane | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 26, 2012 |
| Severe Storms And Straight-line Winds | Severe Storm | Jun 30, 2012 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 27, 2011 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Aug 13, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Feb 5, 2010 |
| Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Dec 19, 2009 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Apr 11, 2024 | — |
| Coastal Flood | Jan 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Mar 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 23, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Oct 29, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 10, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 7, 2020 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2025
A slow-moving cold front produced heavy rain and flash flooding across portions of the region.
Coastal Flood — Apr 11, 2024
High astronomical tides in addition to strong southerly flow resulted in higher water levels, mainly along the Delaware Bay and tidal Delaware River. However, some flooding was observed in the back bays as southerly flow prevented water from draining.
Coastal Flood — Jan 10, 2024
A strong system affected the region with steady southerly flow pushing water up into coastal communities both along the ocean and within the Delaware River/Bay and Chesapeake Bay. Water levels on the tidal Delaware River were higher due to 2 to 4+ inches of rainfall.
Coastal Flood — Mar 9, 2024
A coastal storm moved through, bringing strong onshore flow, which resulted in water piling up along the coast and within back bays and tributaries. Moderate coastal flooding was observed.
Flash Flood — Jul 9, 2023
Widespread showers and thunderstorms brought heavy rain to northern and central New Jersey on the afternoon and evening of July 9. Rainfall totals were as high as 3 to around 5 inches.
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 Salem 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 Salem 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.