Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Branchburg Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Branchburg Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #263 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 185 claims here since 1978.
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 Branchburg Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Branchburg 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
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 Branchburg Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Branchburg Township, and Branchburg Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #263 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Branchburg Township’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Branchburg Township has more expected damage per building than 56% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.4M a year in losses across Branchburg Township: $8.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Branchburg Township flood? Yes: 185 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Branchburg Township, from FEMA’s records: 31.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd34 claims · $2.2M
- Hurricane Ida29 claims · $5.9M
- Hurricane Irene27 claims · $2.0M
Branchburg 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: Somerset County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Branchburg Township
Disasters that paid out in Branchburg Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Branchburg Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida139 households applied for aid$528K aid approved$363K to Branchburg Township for repairs29 flood claims paid for it, $5.9M
- 2018Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to Branchburg Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$77K to Branchburg Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy170 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$417K to Branchburg Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$114K to Branchburg Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene116 households applied for aid$212K aid approved$90K to Branchburg Township for repairs27 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$22K to Branchburg Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$33K to Branchburg Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$13K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$38K to Branchburg Township for repairs34 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
Somerset County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees; the 2001 World Trade Center declarations.
Old photos of Branchburg Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Branchburg Township archive →Branchburg Township and its neighbors
Branchburg Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 196 |
| Bridgewater Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 225 |
| Bedminster Township | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 37 |
| Branchburg Township | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 185 |
| Readington Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 33 |
| Neshanic Station | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Bradley Gardens | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Neshanic | — | 626 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bridgewater Center | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Flagtown | — | 930 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Branchburg 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.
- 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 Branchburg Township
Is Branchburg Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Branchburg Township has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #263 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Branchburg Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 185 claims in Branchburg Township since 1978, $12.0M in all, or 31.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 29 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (34).
Is Branchburg 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 Somerset County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Branchburg Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Branchburg 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 Branchburg Township?
By FEMA money that reached Branchburg Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): 139 households applied for aid, $528K approved, and $363K to Branchburg Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 34 paid, $2.2M.
Is Branchburg Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Branchburg Township’s rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Branchburg Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Branchburg 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.