Photo: Smallbones · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Lower Township than in 69% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lower Township gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #315 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 190 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Lower Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lower 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
Coastal 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 Lower Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lower Township, and Lower Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #315 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lower 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, Lower Township has more expected damage per building than 67% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.1M a year in losses across Lower Township: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lower Township flood? Yes: 190 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lower Township, from FEMA’s records: 12.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Sandy62 claims · $1.9M
- The “Halloween” storm8 claims · $197K
- The December Storm - nor’easter8 claims · $142K
Lower Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Cape May County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lower Township
Disasters that paid out in Lower Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Lower Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$55K to Lower Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$317K to Lower Township for repairs62 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene$174K to Lower Township for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$38K to Lower Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$8K to Lower Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$336K to Lower Township for repairs
Show all 7
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'eas$111K to Lower Township for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Cape May County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 Lower Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lower Township archive →Lower Township and its neighbors
Lower Township is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape May | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1,028 |
| Lower Township | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Middle Township | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 738 |
| Wildwood Crest | C−more damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 266 |
| Wildwood | Dmore damage than 94% | coastal flooding | 1,893 |
| Villas | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| North Cape May | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| West Cape May | — | not graded yet | |
| Cape May Point | — | 138 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Diamond Beach | — | 350 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 Lower 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Lower Township residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lower Township
Is Lower Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lower Township has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #315 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lower Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 190 claims in Lower Township since 1978, $4.1M in all, or 12.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Sandy (62).
Is Lower 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 Cape May County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 40.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lower Township?
Lower Township is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lower Township?
By FEMA money that reached Lower Township, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm (2010): $336K to Lower Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Sandy: 62 paid, $1.9M.
Is Lower Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Lower Township’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lower Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lower 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.