Photo: Smallbones · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Commercial Township than in 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from coastal flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Commercial Township gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #417 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is coastal flooding (56%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Commercial Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Commercial Township faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Commercial Township’s grade
Coastal flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Commercial Township, and Commercial Township’s rate of coastal flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 24% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
D #417 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Commercial Township’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical New Jersey town has higher expected damage than 56% of U.S. towns; within the state, Commercial Township has more expected damage per building than 89% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Commercial Township: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Commercial Township flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Commercial Township, from FEMA’s records: 10.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy15 claims · $315K
- Hurricane Isaias1 claim · $38K
Commercial 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: Cumberland County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Commercial Township
Disasters that paid out in Commercial Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Commercial Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$101K to Commercial Township for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $315K
- 2011Hurricane Irene$50K to Commercial Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$9K to Commercial Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to Commercial Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$15K to Commercial Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$9K to Commercial Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Cumberland County has had 23 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 Commercial Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Commercial Township archive →Commercial Township and its neighbors
Commercial Township is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millville | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Maurice River Township | Cmore damage than 70% | coastal flooding | 124 |
| Commercial Township | Dmore damage than 87% | coastal flooding | 24 |
| Downe Township | D−among the highest damage | coastal flooding | 428 |
| Port Norris | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Leesburg | — | 431 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Laurel Lake | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Port Elizabeth | — | 261 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Mauricetown | — | 365 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Dorchester | — | 137 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 Commercial 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Commercial Township
Is Commercial Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Commercial Township has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #417 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is coastal flooding (56%) and river and rain flooding (24%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Commercial Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Commercial Township since 1979, $541K in all, or 10.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (15).
Is Commercial 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 Cumberland County, 27% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Commercial Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Commercial 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 Commercial Township?
By FEMA money that reached Commercial Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $101K to Commercial Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 15 paid, $315K.
Is Commercial Township at risk from coastal flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Commercial Township’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Commercial Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Commercial 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.