Photo: User:Magicpiano · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Burlington Township than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #373 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 29 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 Burlington 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 Burlington Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Burlington Township, and Burlington Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #373 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Burlington Township’s residents live in 4 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, Burlington Township has more expected damage per building than 80% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.1M a year in losses across Burlington Township: $9.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Burlington Township flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Burlington Township, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene5 claims · $134K
- The March 2010 nor’easter2 claims · $8K
- The December Storm - nor’easter2 claims · $11K
Burlington 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Burlington Township
Disasters that paid out in Burlington Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Burlington Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$221K to Burlington Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$31K to Burlington Township for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $134K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$27K to Burlington Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$40K to Burlington Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$51K to Burlington 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 Burlington Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Burlington Township archive →Burlington Township and its neighbors
Burlington Township is 5th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westampton Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Bristol Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 292 |
| Springfield Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
| Willingboro Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Burlington Township | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Bristol | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 49 |
| Florence Township | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Edgewater Park Township | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Burlington | D−more damage than 98% | river and rain flooding | 161 |
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 Burlington 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 Burlington Township
Is Burlington Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Burlington Township has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #373 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 Burlington Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Burlington Township since 1978, $343K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (5).
Is Burlington 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 Burlington Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Burlington 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 Burlington Township?
By FEMA money that reached Burlington Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $221K to Burlington Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 5 paid, $134K.
Is Burlington Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Burlington Township’s rate for it is higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Burlington Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Burlington 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.