Photo: Smallbones · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Monroe Township faces less hazard damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe Township gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #21 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 128 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 Monroe Township’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Monroe 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
Earthquakes
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 Monroe Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monroe Township, and Monroe Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A #21 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monroe Township’s residents live in 6 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, Monroe Township has less expected damage per building than 96% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.1M a year in losses across Monroe Township: $5.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monroe Township flood? Yes: 128 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monroe Township, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene52 claims · $2.8M
- Tropical Storm Henri25 claims · $2.3M
- The April 2007 nor’easter9 claims · $36K
Monroe 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: Gloucester County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monroe Township
Disasters that paid out in Monroe Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Monroe Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storm$140K to Monroe Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy$52K to Monroe Township for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene$32K to Monroe Township for repairs52 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2010Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to Monroe Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$56K to Monroe Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$61K to Monroe Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Gloucester County has had 20 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 Monroe Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monroe Township archive →Monroe Township and its neighbors
Monroe Township is 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glassboro | A+less damage than 96% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Washington Township | Aless damage than 94% | river and rain flooding | 190 |
| Winslow Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Monroe Township | Aless damage than 91% | river and rain flooding | 128 |
| Franklin Township | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Clayton | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Williamstown | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Sicklerville | — | 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 Monroe 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Monroe Township
Is Monroe Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe Township has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #21 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Monroe Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 128 claims in Monroe Township since 1978, $5.6M in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (52).
Is Monroe 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 Gloucester County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monroe Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monroe 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 Monroe Township?
By FEMA money that reached Monroe Township, Severe Storm (2015): $140K to Monroe Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 52 paid, $2.8M.
Is Monroe Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Monroe Township’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monroe Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monroe 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.