Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0For wildfire, Bass River Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bass River Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%), then wildfire (36%). Flood insurance has paid 55 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Bass River Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bass River Township faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Wildfire
Coastal flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Bass River Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 41% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bass River Township, and Bass River Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 36%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bass River Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $619K a year in losses across Bass River Township: $522K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bass River Township flood? Sometimes: 55 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bass River Township, from FEMA’s records: 131.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy38 claims · $2.0M
- The December Storm - nor’easter5 claims · $61K
Bass River Township isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burlington County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bass River Township
Disasters that paid out in Bass River Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Bass River Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$7K to Bass River Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$36K to Bass River Township for repairs38 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$3K to Bass River Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to Bass River Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$4K to Bass River Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$4K to Bass River Township for repairs
Burlington County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burlington County, 2007–2007.
Old photos of Bass River Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bass River Township archive →Bass River Township and its neighbors
Bass River Township is 3rd of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galloway Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Woodland Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Bass River Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Little Egg Harbor Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3,837 |
| Port Republic | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Washington Township | — | 489 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mystic Island | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Bass River Township faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bass River Township
Is Bass River Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bass River Township has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (41%) and wildfire (36%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bass River Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 55 claims in Bass River Township since 1979, $2.2M in all, or 131.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (38).
Is Bass River Township in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Burlington County, 55% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bass River Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bass River Township’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Bass River Township?
By FEMA money that reached Bass River Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $36K to Bass River Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 38 paid, $2.0M.
Is Bass River Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (41%), and Bass River Township’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bass River Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bass River Township’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.