Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hardyston Township than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hardyston Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #98 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then strong wind (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Hardyston 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 Hardyston Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hardyston Township, and Hardyston Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 19%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #98 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hardyston Township’s residents live in 2 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, Hardyston Township has less expected damage per building than 79% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Hardyston Township: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hardyston Township flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hardyston Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $61K
Hardyston 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: Sussex County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hardyston Township
Disasters that paid out in Hardyston Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hardyston Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$68K to Hardyston Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$19K to Hardyston Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$117K to Hardyston Township for repairs
- 2011Severe Storm$27K to Hardyston Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$36K to Hardyston Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $61K
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$3K to Hardyston Township for repairs
Show all 8
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to Hardyston Township for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Mudslides$19K to Hardyston Township for repairs
Sussex County has had 20 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 Hardyston Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hardyston Township archive →Hardyston Township and its neighbors
Hardyston Township is 3rd of the 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta Township | A−less damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Jefferson Township | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 77 |
| Hardyston Township | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Vernon Township | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Ogdensburg | Bless damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Lafayette Township | Bless damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Franklin | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Wantage Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Hamburg | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| West Milford Township | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 104 |
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 Hardyston 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 Hardyston Township
Is Hardyston Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hardyston Township has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #98 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and strong wind (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hardyston Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Hardyston Township since 2011, $61K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Hardyston 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 Sussex County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hardyston Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hardyston 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 Hardyston Township?
By FEMA money that reached Hardyston Township, Hurricane Sandy (2012): $117K to Hardyston Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $61K.
Is Hardyston Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Hardyston Township’s rate for it is lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hardyston Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hardyston 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.