Seven Stars Tavern · Photo: Smallbones · Public domainPilesgrove Township’s building-damage rate from strong wind is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pilesgrove Township gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #144 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1999.
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 Pilesgrove 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
Earthquakes
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 Pilesgrove Township’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pilesgrove Township, and Pilesgrove Township’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #144 of 468 in New Jersey; lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pilesgrove 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, Pilesgrove Township has less expected damage per building than 69% of New Jersey towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Pilesgrove Township: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pilesgrove Township flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pilesgrove Township, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $28K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $4K
Pilesgrove 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: Salem County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pilesgrove Township
Disasters that paid out in Pilesgrove Township itself (aid to households or repair grants to Pilesgrove Township), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Hurricane Sandy6 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene43 households applied for aid$198K aid approved$108K to Pilesgrove Township for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $28K
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding$2K to Pilesgrove Township for repairs
- 2010Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$17K to Pilesgrove Township for repairs
- 2009Snowstorm$18K to Pilesgrove Township for repairs
Salem County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter 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 Pilesgrove Township after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pilesgrove Township archive →Pilesgrove Township and its neighbors
Pilesgrove 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Pittsgrove Township | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| South Harrison Township | Aless damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Woolwich Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Pilesgrove Township | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Oldmans Township | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Mannington Township | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Carneys Point Township | C−more damage than 83% | coastal flooding | 56 |
| Auburn | — | a Census area inside a town; graded with the town | |
| Harrisonville | — | 227 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 Pilesgrove 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Pilesgrove Township
Is Pilesgrove Township at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pilesgrove Township has lower expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #144 of 468 in New Jersey. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and strong wind (9%). 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 Pilesgrove Township flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Pilesgrove Township since 1999, $32K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Irene (1).
Is Pilesgrove 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 Salem County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 7.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pilesgrove Township?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pilesgrove 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 Pilesgrove Township?
By FEMA money that reached Pilesgrove Township, Hurricane Irene (2011): 43 households applied for aid, $198K approved, and $108K to Pilesgrove Township for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Irene: 1 paid, $28K.
Is Pilesgrove Township at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Pilesgrove Township’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pilesgrove Township.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pilesgrove 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.