Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Cranford Township faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cranford Township gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #253 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 1,484 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 stands out about Cranford Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cranford 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
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 Cranford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cranford Township, and Cranford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 9% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #253 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cranford Township’s residents live in 5 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, Cranford Township has more expected damage per building than 54% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Cranford Township: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cranford Township flood? Yes: 1,484 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cranford Township, from FEMA’s records: 153.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene463 claims · $29.7M
- The April 2007 nor’easter298 claims · $6.0M
- Hurricane Ida297 claims · $12.6M
Cranford Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Union County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cranford Township
Disasters that paid out in Cranford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cranford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida664 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$1.3M to Cranford Township for repairs297 flood claims paid for it, $12.6M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$84K to Cranford Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy263 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$557K to Cranford Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storm$147K to Cranford Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene1,453 households applied for aid$5.7M aid approved$1.4M to Cranford Township for repairs463 flood claims paid for it, $29.7M
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$50K to Cranford Township for repairs
Show all 9
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding266 households applied for aid$191K aid approved$475K to Cranford Township for repairs303 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$274K to Cranford Township for repairs255 flood claims paid for it, $4.1M
Union County has had 21 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 Cranford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cranford Township archive →Cranford Township and its neighbors
Cranford Township is 8th of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garwood | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Roselle | Aless damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 371 |
| Roselle Park | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Linden | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 299 |
| Westfield | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Kenilworth | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 154 |
| Clark Township | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 114 |
| Cranford Township | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 1,484 |
| Winfield Township | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Springfield Township | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 337 |
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 Cranford 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.
- 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.
- Cranford Township residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cranford Township
Is Cranford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cranford Township has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #253 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and earthquakes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cranford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,484 claims in Cranford Township since 1978, $53.3M in all, or 153.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 292 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (463).
Is Cranford 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 Union County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cranford Township?
Cranford Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cranford Township?
By FEMA money that reached Cranford Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 1,453 households applied for aid, $5.7M approved, and $1.4M to Cranford Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 463 paid, $29.7M.
Is Cranford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Cranford Township’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cranford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cranford 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.