Photo: Nicholas A. Tonelli on Flickr · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Independence Township than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence Township gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #90 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2003.
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 Independence 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 Independence Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Independence Township, and Independence Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #90 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Independence 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, Independence Township has less expected damage per building than 81% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Independence Township: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Independence Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Independence Township, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $22K
Independence 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Independence Township
Disasters that paid out in Independence Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Independence Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$20K to Independence Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$17K to Independence Township for repairs
- 2011Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee$1K to Independence Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$15K to Independence Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $22K
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 Independence Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Independence Township archive →Independence Township and its neighbors
Independence Township is 2nd of the 6 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 |
| Independence Township | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Allamuchy Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mansfield Township | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Liberty Township | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Hackettstown | C+more damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| Panther Valley | — | 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 Independence 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 Independence Township
Is Independence Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Independence Township has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #90 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hurricanes (8%). 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 Independence Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Independence Township since 2003, $38K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Independence 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 Independence Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Independence 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 Independence Township?
By FEMA money that reached Independence Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2016): $20K to Independence Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $22K.
Is Independence Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Independence Township’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Independence Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Independence 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.