Photo: LTwomey02 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Clayton than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clayton gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #30 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1980.
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 Clayton 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
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
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 Clayton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clayton, and Clayton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 8% (higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
A #30 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clayton’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, Clayton has less expected damage per building than 94% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Clayton: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clayton flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clayton, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $10K
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $5K
Clayton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gloucester County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clayton
Disasters that paid out in Clayton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Clayton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storm$97K to the Borough of Clayton for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy19 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$13K to the Borough of Clayton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene227 households applied for aid$259K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $10K
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding85 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to the Borough of Clayton for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$21K to the Borough of Clayton for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding31 households applied for aid$21K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Gloucester County has had 20 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.
Old photos of Clayton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clayton archive →Clayton and its neighbors
Clayton is 5th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Glassboro | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Monroe Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| Franklin Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Clayton | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Clayton 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Clayton
Is Clayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clayton has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #30 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and earthquakes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Clayton since 1980, $95K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (2).
Is Clayton 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 Gloucester County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clayton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Clayton’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 Clayton?
By FEMA money that reached Clayton, Hurricane Irene (2011): 227 households applied for aid, $259K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 2 paid, $10K.
Is Clayton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Clayton’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clayton’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.