Photo: Jared Kofsky · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Montague Township than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montague Township gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #382 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1981.
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 Montague 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 Montague Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Montague Township, and Montague Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #382 of 468 in New Jersey; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Montague 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, Montague Township has more expected damage per building than 82% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Montague Township: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Montague Township flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Montague Township, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $2K
Montague 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 Montague Township
Disasters that paid out in Montague Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Montague Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to Montague Township for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storm Isaias$7K to Montague Township for repairs
- 2012Hurricane Sandy61 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$29K to Montague Township for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene86 households applied for aid$218K aid approved$112K to Montague Township for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding$4K to Montague Township for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to Montague Township for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2005Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$10K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$5K to Montague Township for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Montague Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Montague Township archive →Montague Township and its neighbors
Montague Township is 4th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dingman Township | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Wantage Township | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Sandyston Township | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Montague Township | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Milford Township | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Milford | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Westfall Township | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
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 Montague 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 Montague Township
Is Montague Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Montague Township has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #382 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%) and strong wind (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 Montague Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Montague Township since 1981, $181K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Montague 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 Montague Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Montague 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 Montague Township?
By FEMA money that reached Montague Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 86 households applied for aid, $218K approved, and $112K to Montague Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $2K.
Is Montague Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Montague Township’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Montague Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Montague 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.