Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hardwick Township than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hardwick Township gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Hardwick 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
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 Hardwick Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hardwick Township, and Hardwick Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hardwick Township’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $656K a year in losses across Hardwick Township: $460K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hardwick Township flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hardwick Township. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hardwick 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: Warren County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hardwick Township
Disasters that paid out in Hardwick Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hardwick Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Remnants of Hurricane Ida1 households applied for aid$357 aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to Hardwick Township for repairs
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to Hardwick Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy16 households applied for aid$20K to Hardwick Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$6K to Hardwick Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene29 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$130K to Hardwick Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$20K to Hardwick Township for repairs
Warren County has had 19 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 Hardwick Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hardwick Township archive →Hardwick Township and its neighbors
Hardwick Township is 2nd of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frelinghuysen Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Hardwick Township | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Middle Smithfield Township | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Smithfield Township | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 162 |
| Upper Mount Bethel Township | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 124 |
| Knowlton Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 109 |
| Stillwater Township | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Blairstown Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Marksboro | — | 193 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Delaware Water Gap | — | 738 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 Hardwick 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.
- 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 Hardwick Township
Is Hardwick Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hardwick Township has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hardwick 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 Warren County, 47% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hardwick Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hardwick 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 Hardwick Township?
By FEMA money that reached Hardwick Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 29 households applied for aid, $49K approved, and $130K to Hardwick Township for repairs.
Is Hardwick Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Hardwick Township’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hardwick Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hardwick 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.