Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainFor strong wind, Byram Township’s building-damage rate is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byram Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #290 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then strong wind (15%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1981.
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 Byram 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
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.
What’s behind Byram Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Byram Township, and Byram Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 15%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #290 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Byram 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, Byram Township has more expected damage per building than 62% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Byram Township: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Byram Township flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Byram 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 Irene3 claims · $45K
- The March 2010 nor’easter3 claims · $48K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $5K
Byram 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: Sussex County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Byram Township
Disasters that paid out in Byram Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Byram Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$81K to Byram Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$39K to Byram Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$95K to Byram Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$54K to Byram Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$11K to Byram Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $45K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$2K to Byram Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to Byram Township for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$17K to Byram Township 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 Byram Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Byram Township archive →Byram Township and its neighbors
Byram Township is 6th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanhope | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hopatcong | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Roxbury Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Mount Olive Township | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 53 |
| Andover Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Byram Township | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Byram Center | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Port Morris | — | 858 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 Byram 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.
- 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 Byram Township
Is Byram Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Byram Township has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #290 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and strong wind (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Byram Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Byram Township since 1981, $130K 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 (3).
Is Byram 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 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 Byram Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Byram 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 Byram Township?
By FEMA money that reached Byram Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $95K to Byram Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $45K.
Is Byram Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Byram Township’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Byram Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Byram 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.