Whitney Mansion · Photo: BobGalasso · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Glassboro faces less hazard damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glassboro gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #6 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then earthquakes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1984.
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 Glassboro 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 Glassboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glassboro, and Glassboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #6 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glassboro’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, Glassboro has less expected damage per building than 99% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Glassboro: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glassboro flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glassboro, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $1K
Glassboro 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Glassboro
Disasters that paid out in Glassboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Glassboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida56 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storm$12K to the Borough of Glassboro for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy16 households applied for aid$74K aid approved$48K to the Borough of Glassboro for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene316 households applied for aid$355K aid approved$20K to the Borough of Glassboro for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding62 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$55K to the Borough of Glassboro for repairs
Show all 8
- 2009Snowstorm$69K to the Borough of Glassboro for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding41 households applied for aid$47K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
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 Glassboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glassboro archive →Glassboro and its neighbors
Glassboro is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Township | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Glassboro | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pitman | Aless damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Monroe Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| Clayton | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Harrison Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Richwood | — | 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 Glassboro 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 Glassboro
Is Glassboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glassboro has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #6 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and earthquakes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glassboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Glassboro since 1984, $5K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Glassboro 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 Glassboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glassboro’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 Glassboro?
By FEMA money that reached Glassboro, Hurricane Irene (2011): 316 households applied for aid, $355K approved, and $20K to the Borough of Glassboro for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Glassboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Glassboro’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glassboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glassboro’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.