Photo: Ton2cats · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Deptford Township than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deptford Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #19 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2011.
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 Deptford 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
Strong wind
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 Deptford Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Deptford Township, and Deptford Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #19 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Deptford Township’s residents live in 7 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, Deptford Township has less expected damage per building than 96% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Deptford Township: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Deptford Township flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Deptford Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene7 claims · $47K
Deptford 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: Gloucester County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Deptford Township
Disasters that paid out in Deptford Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Deptford Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida41 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$151K to Deptford Township for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$272K to Deptford Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy8 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$102K to Deptford Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene92 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$66K to Deptford Township for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $47K
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$51K to Deptford Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$66K to Deptford Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Deptford Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Deptford Township archive →Deptford Township and its neighbors
Deptford Township is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Deptford Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Mantua Township | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Woodbury Heights | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Wenonah | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gloucester Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Runnemede | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Woodbury | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Bellmawr | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
| Sewell | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Glendora | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
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 Deptford 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Deptford Township
Is Deptford Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Deptford Township has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #19 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Deptford Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Deptford Township since 2011, $81K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (7).
Is Deptford 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 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 Deptford Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Deptford 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 Deptford Township?
By FEMA money that reached Deptford Township, Severe Storm (2015): $272K to Deptford Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 7 paid, $47K.
Is Deptford Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Deptford Township’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Deptford Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Deptford 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.