Photo: Zeete · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Chesterfield Township’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 64% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chesterfield Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #133 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1987.
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 Chesterfield 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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Chesterfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chesterfield Township, and Chesterfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #133 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Chesterfield Township’s residents live in 2 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, Chesterfield Township has less expected damage per building than 72% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Chesterfield Township: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chesterfield Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chesterfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $1K
Chesterfield 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chesterfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Chesterfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Chesterfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$21K to Chesterfield Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy10 households applied for aid$36K to Chesterfield Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene13 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$9K to Chesterfield Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$11K to Chesterfield Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$906 aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$10K to Chesterfield Township for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$9K to Chesterfield Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding8 households applied for aid$14K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Chesterfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chesterfield Township archive →Chesterfield Township and its neighbors
Chesterfield Township has the lowest expected damage per building of the 6 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| North Hanover Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Springfield Township | B−more damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 345 |
| Hamilton Township | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 247 |
| Mansfield Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Bordentown Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Crosswicks | — | 900 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Groveville | — | 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 Chesterfield 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Chesterfield Township
Is Chesterfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chesterfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #133 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and strong wind (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chesterfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Chesterfield Township since 1987, $2K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Chesterfield Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): 10 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $36K to Chesterfield Township for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Chesterfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Chesterfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chesterfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chesterfield 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.