Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Branchville
Branchville isn’t graded for hazard risk: Branchville has 814 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1999.
What Branchville 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
Strong wind
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.
Does Branchville flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Branchville, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $38K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $2K
Branchville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sussex County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Branchville
Disasters that paid out in Branchville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Branchville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy48 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$6K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$3K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene98 households applied for aid$290K aid approved$218K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $38K
- 2010Flooding$7K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$2K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Severe Winter Storm$7K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$286 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$2K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$3K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs
Sussex County has had 20 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 Branchville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Branchville archive →Get ready for what Branchville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Branchville
Does Branchville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Branchville since 1999, $58K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Branchville 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 Sussex County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Branchville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Branchville’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 Branchville?
By FEMA money that reached Branchville, Hurricane Irene (2011): 98 households applied for aid, $290K approved, and $218K to the Borough of Branchville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $38K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Branchville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Branchville’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.