Photo: Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page, my Commons user talk page, or my English Wikipedia user talk page; I'll know about it a lot faster) · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Magnolia faces less hazard damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magnolia gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #18 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then earthquakes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1979.
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 Magnolia 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
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 Magnolia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Magnolia, and Magnolia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 17% (higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
A #18 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Magnolia’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, Magnolia has less expected damage per building than 96% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $699K a year in losses across Magnolia: $430K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Magnolia flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Magnolia, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The April 2007 nor’easter1 claim · $612
Magnolia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Camden County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Magnolia
Disasters that paid out in Magnolia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Borough of Magnolia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$13K to the Borough of Magnolia for repairs
- 2015Severe Storm$13K to the Borough of Magnolia for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy15 households applied for aid$230 aid approved$4K to the Borough of Magnolia for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene42 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$3K to the Borough of Magnolia for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Borough of Magnolia for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$5K to the Borough of Magnolia for repairs
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding15 households applied for aid$18K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Camden County has had 17 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 Magnolia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Magnolia archive →Magnolia and its neighbors
Magnolia has the lowest expected damage per building of the 5 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnolia | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Lawnside | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gloucester Township | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Runnemede | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Somerdale | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
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 Magnolia 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.
- 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 Magnolia
Is Magnolia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Magnolia has lower expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #18 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and earthquakes (17%). 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 Magnolia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Magnolia since 1979, $717 in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from April 2007 Nor'easter (1).
Is Magnolia 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 Camden County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Magnolia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Magnolia’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 Magnolia?
By FEMA money that reached Magnolia, Hurricane Irene (2011): 42 households applied for aid, $49K approved, and $3K to the Borough of Magnolia for repairs. By flood claims, April 2007 Nor'easter: 1 paid, $612.
Is Magnolia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Magnolia’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Magnolia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Magnolia’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.