Atlantic City, NJ Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
Atlantic City is a barrier island city extremely vulnerable to Atlantic hurricane storm surge and nor'easter flooding. Much of the city sits at very low elevations, and Hurricane Sandy caused severe widespread flooding.
Atlantic County has recorded 20,906 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $474.1M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 2
NFIP Policies
26,608
Atlantic County
Avg. Premium
$846/yr
Atlantic County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Atlantic County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $50.2M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $14.0M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $26.3M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Atlantic County
Atlantic County has been included in 15 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 7 earlier declarations since 1971.
These declarations affected communities across Atlantic County, including Atlantic City.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Atlantic County
Properties in Atlantic County have filed 20,906 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $474.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $23K.
Highest-Claim Years
2012
11,429 claims - $400.9M
1992
3,762 claims - $33.9M
1984
1,073 claims - $4.1M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Atlantic County
Only roughly 1 in 4 households in Atlantic County carries NFIP flood insurance (25% of estimated households).
Penetration Rate
25%
roughly 1 in 4 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
20,906 claims over 45+ years across 26,608 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$22,679
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Atlantic County has averaged 1 claim for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Atlantic City.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Atlantic City
Atlantic City is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Atlantic City are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $50.2M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in Atlantic City's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Atlantic City are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Atlantic City address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Atlantic County
Atlantic County has 885 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 128 severe repetitive loss properties. 65 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
885
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
128
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
65
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 878 of 885 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Atlantic County
NOAA has recorded 63 flood events in Atlantic County since 1996, causing $85.1M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Atlantic County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 478 properties in Atlantic County, investing $1.6M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Atlantic City
Atlantic City participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 6
SFHA Premium Discount
20% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Atlantic City's Class 6 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 20% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Atlantic City, NJ Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Atlantic City, NJ?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Atlantic City are Zone VE, Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Atlantic City?
If your Atlantic City property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Atlantic City?
Enter your Atlantic City address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Atlantic City offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Atlantic City participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 6 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 20% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Has Atlantic City experienced major flooding events?
Atlantic County, where Atlantic City is located, has been part of 15 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Atlantic City?
Atlantic County has recorded 20,906 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $474.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2012, with 11,429 claims and $400.9M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Atlantic City.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Atlantic City?
Atlantic County currently has 26,608 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $846. The most policies are in Zone AE (13,029 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Atlantic City properties have flooded repeatedly?
Atlantic County has 885 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 128 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Atlantic City property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Atlantic City?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Atlantic City's Zone VE and Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other New Jersey Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Atlantic City, NJ Address
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.