Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Delaware Township’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delaware Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #330 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 55 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 Delaware Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Delaware 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
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 Delaware Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Delaware Township, and Delaware Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #330 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Delaware 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, Delaware Township has more expected damage per building than 70% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Delaware Township: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Delaware Township flood? Sometimes: 55 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Delaware Township, from FEMA’s records: 29.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ida17 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Irene8 claims · $177K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $109K
Delaware 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: Hunterdon County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Delaware Township
Disasters that paid out in Delaware Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Delaware Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida$1.3M to Delaware Township for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$29K to Delaware Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$134K to Delaware Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$9K to Delaware Township for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$322K to Delaware Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$78K to Delaware Township for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $177K
Show all 10
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$78K to Delaware Township for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$15K to Delaware Township for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to Delaware Township for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$118K to Delaware Township for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $6K
Hunterdon County has had 18 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 Delaware Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Delaware Township archive →Delaware Township and its neighbors
Delaware Township is 7th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumstead Township | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
| Raritan Township | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
| Franklin Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
| West Amwell Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| East Amwell Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Solebury Township | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 199 |
| Delaware Township | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 55 |
| Kingwood Township | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 136 |
| Lambertville | D−more damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 428 |
| Stockton | — | 446 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 Delaware 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.
- 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 Delaware Township
Is Delaware Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Delaware Township has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #330 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and strong wind (7%). 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 Delaware Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 55 claims in Delaware Township since 1979, $2.4M in all, or 29.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ida (17).
Is Delaware 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 Hunterdon County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Delaware Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Delaware 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 Delaware Township?
By FEMA money that reached Delaware Township, Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021): $1.3M to Delaware Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ida: 17 paid, $1.3M.
Is Delaware Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Delaware Township’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Delaware Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Delaware 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.