Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Deerfield Township than in 90% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deerfield Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #26 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hurricanes (34%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2006.
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 Deerfield 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
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
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 Deerfield Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Deerfield Township, and Deerfield Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #26 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Deerfield 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, Deerfield Township has less expected damage per building than 95% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $995K a year in losses across Deerfield Township: $562K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Deerfield Township flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Deerfield Township, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $23K
Deerfield 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Deerfield Township
Disasters that paid out in Deerfield Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Deerfield Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$4K to Deerfield Township for repairs
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$24K to Deerfield Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$1K to Deerfield Township for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$1K to Deerfield Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$2K to Deerfield Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to Deerfield Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Snowstorm$4K to Deerfield Township for repairs
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 Deerfield Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Deerfield Township archive →Deerfield Township and its neighbors
Deerfield Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Deerfield Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Deerfield Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Pittsgrove Township | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Vineland | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 44 |
| Millville | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Fairfield Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1,845 |
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 Deerfield 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.
- 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.
- 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 Deerfield Township
Is Deerfield Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deerfield Township has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #26 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hurricanes (34%). 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 Deerfield Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Deerfield Township since 2006, $47K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (3).
Is Deerfield 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 Deerfield Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Deerfield 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 Deerfield Township?
By FEMA money that reached Deerfield Township, Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (2012): $24K to Deerfield Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 3 paid, $23K.
Is Deerfield Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Deerfield Township’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Deerfield Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Deerfield 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.