Princeton, NJ
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Princeton is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Mercer County, NJ. The county's highest-rated hazards are strong wind, winter weather, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Princeton
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Princeton's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Princeton itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Mercer County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Princeton along with the rest of the county, not a Princeton-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 73.4 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.2 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 56.8 | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | 94 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 95.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 81.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 85.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 62.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 29.5 | Very Low |
| Hurricane | 94.6 | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | 96.3 | Very High |
| Landslide | 53.5 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 93.5 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 99.5 | Very High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 97.7 | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Mercer County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Mercer County:
More on Mercer County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Princeton, NJ at risk of?
Princeton is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Mercer County, where Princeton is located, are strong wind, winter weather, and inland flooding.
What is Princeton's biggest natural hazard risk?
Strong Wind is the highest-rated hazard for Mercer County, where Princeton is located, scoring 99.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Princeton a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Princeton carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Mercer County.
Has Princeton had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 31 tornado, 119 hail, 327 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Princeton since 2016.