TropicalInfo EN ES Sign Up Free

Hurricane Risk for Cape May, NJ

No tropical storms currently threaten the Cape May area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

Get free alerts for Cape May
On this page
  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1851, 150 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Cape May. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Sitting on New Jersey’s southern tip with low-lying barrier beaches and a long back-bay coastline, Cape May’s primary hurricane hazard is storm surge and coastal flooding — recent storms like 2021’s Ida underscored the town’s vulnerability to high surge and overwash.

By the numbers

Total storms
150
since 1851
Major (Cat 3+)
47
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
103
all categories
County
Cape May County
New Jersey

Most recent hurricane

Chantal (2025)

Passed within 91 miles of Cape May on July 07, 2025. Peak intensity: TS (57 mph).

The full risk breakdown for Cape May

See the strongest and closest hurricanes ever to pass nearby, the month-by-month climatology of when storms hit Cape May, the notable storms of the last 20 years, and any active-storm threat — plus free location-based alerts.

Create a free account to unlock the full risk breakdown for this city

It's free — no credit card. A free TropicalInfo account unlocks the full page plus plain-language storm alerts for your area.

Create a free account Already have one? Log in

Free forever. Upgrade only if you want county-specific reports.

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Cape May is in Cape May County — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.
Nearby cities also covered: Cape May Point, Villas, Rio Grande, Green Creek, Wildwood, Whitesboro, Stone Harbor, Cape May Court House. Data sourced from NOAA hurricane databases (HURDAT2 Atlantic, HURDAT2 East Pacific, and CPHC best-track), public domain.